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MORGAN’S MEN 









Morgan’s Men 

Containing 

Adventures of Stuart Schuyler 

Captain of Cavalry during the Revolution 

By ^ 

JOHN PRESTON TRUE 

Author of “Their Club and Ours,” “Shoulder Arms,” 

“The Iron Star,” “Scouting for Washington,” etc. 


SHluj^trateb bp 

LILIAN CRAWFORD TRUE 





Boston 

Little, Brown, and Company 

1901 


THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 
Two CuHta Received 

SEP. 27 1901 


J^COPYRIQHT ENTRY 

CLASS ^ XXa Ni*.i 


COPY 3. 


Copyright^ igoiy 

By Little, Brown, and Company. 


All rights reser’ved 


October, 1901 


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UNIVERSITY PRESS • JOHN WILSON 
AND SON • CAMBRIDGE, U, S. A. 


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CONTENTS 


Chapter 

I. The New Commission, and a Hint how 

IT WAS Won 

II. In the Camp of General Greene . . 
HI. What Captain Stuart Schuyler “ could 


IV. What two Generals thought of a 

Captain 

V. A Map in the Sand 

VI. How THE Captain planned a Great 

Campaign 

VII. Lieut.-Col. Banastre Tarleton enter- 
tains 

VHI. A Part of the “ Entertainment,” and 
WHAT Cornwallis thought .... 

IX. General Nathanael Greene entertains 

X. The Toast to General Washington, and 

A Question of Loyalty 

XI. Colonel Washington’s Advance Guard 

XII. The Tempting of Tarleton . . . . 

XIII. How Lord Egerton cheered a Deed 

OF Daring, and Tarleton’s Wrath 


Page 

1 

18 

33 

48 

62 

•75 

88 

107 

121 

138 

151 

165 


THEREAT 


179 


CONTENTS 


viii 

Chapter 

XIV. The Girl in Massachusetts . . . . 

XV. How Lord Egerton found the Chase 

OF A Rear-Guard a Trifle Perilous 

XVI. How Stuart and the Rear-Guard 

CAME in to report 

. XVIL How THE Rear-Guard and Stuart 
watched for Tarleton .... 
XVHI. How Colonel Tarleton laughed at 

Caution 

XIX. Where the Chase ended. Lord Eger- 
ton LEARNS A Lesson in Scouting . 
XX. GeneralMorgan, Panther-like, STANDS 

AT Bay 

XXL Battle ! How Colonel Tarleton met 
“ A Real General ” at last . . . 

XXII. The Rebel Mail-bag, and the Letter 
“ FROM Massachusetts ” .... 

XXIII. The Flag of Truce, and how Lord 
Egerton again met Captain Schuy- 


page 

194 

208 

225 

240 

257 

270 

285 

299 

312 


LER 


327 


ILLUSTKATIONS 


FROM DRAWINGS BY LILIAN CRAWFORD TRUE 


“ ‘ As the Lord lives, I ’ve seen that horse before, 

and you 1 ’ ” Frontispiece 

“The subaltern in command dismounted and 

saluted Page 103 

“ ‘ I pray you take my seat, sir ; it is warm and 

comfortable ’ ” “ 203 

“The scout-master was watching the distant 

luminous sky ” “276 

“ ‘ And then come the skirmishers ! ’ cried Lord 

Egerton, suddenly ” “291 

“ ‘ This one seems to be a commissary report, 

addressed to General Greene, sir ’ “ 318 









MOEGAN’S MEN. 


CHAPTER I. 

THE NEW COMMISSION, AND A HINT HOW 
IT WAS WON. 


IN CONGRESS 

The DELEGATES of the UNITED 
STATES of New Hamplhire, Maflachufetts- 
Bay, Rhode Ifland, Connecticut, New York, 
New Jerfey, Pennfylvania, Delaware, Maryland, 
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and 
Georgia, TO 




W E, repoling efpecial Truft and Confidence 
in your Patriotifm, Valour, Conduct and 
Fidelity, DO, by thefe prefents, conftitute and 
appoint you to be 




in the Army of the United States, railed for the 
Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling 
every hoflile invafion thereof. You are there- 
fore carefully and diligently to difcharge the 
Duty of by doing and performing 


2 


Morgan’s men. 


all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And 
we do ftrictly charge and require all Officers 
and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedi- 
ent to your Orders as And you 

are to obferve and follow fuch Orders and Di- 
rections from Time to Time, as you fhall receive 
from this or a future Congrefs of the United 
States, or Committee of Congrefs for that pur- 
pofe appointed, or Commander in Chief for the 
Time being of the Army of the United States, 
or any other your fuperior Officer, according to 
the Rules and Difcipline of War, in Purfuance 
of the Truft repofed in you. This Commiffion 
to continue in force until revoked by this or a 
future Congrefs. 


Dated at 

J2i2cLG, I ^80. 

By Order of the CONGRESS : 



President. 


S TUART SCHUYLER, whose name 
appeared in the above document, had 


THE NEW COMMISSION. 


3 


read that before. More — he could repeat 
it word for word, mark for mark, down 
to the last period in it. Nevertheless he 
had to take it out and read it all over 
again as he rode along. A sturdy, broad- 
shouldered lad was he, with a cheery 
eye and smile, when the young face was 
not set with the lines of determination 
which life during the last three years of 
war had given to it in ordinary moments 
of repose. 

No one at first glance would have cred- 
ited him with the distinguished rank indi- 
cated in the commission which he was 
reading. He seemed altogether too young, 
too boyish, and his uniform — if it could be 
so called, as it mainly appeared to consist of 
a hat the worse for wear, breeches still 
more worn, and a deerskin hunting shirt 
which bore no war marks at all, after the 
tough nature of its kind — certainly had 
nothing of the officer about it. Yet you 
could not call him just a country boy’' of 
the period. There was a keen watchful- 
ness about the eyes as they swept the vistas 
of the woodland. There was an alert, 


4 


Morgan’s men. 


erect, military poise to the body, which 
nevertheless yielded to the motion of the 
horse beneath it in that undulatory har- 
mony that made the two seem but portions 
of a single frame ; just such a harmony as 
you might expect in a centaur. 

The black horse, Tartar, beneath the 
young rider, arched his neck and curveted 
coquettishly sideways, as though he too were 
intensely proud at that moment and felt 
that life was worth living. Tartar thus far 
had had a varied career. As a colt he was 
reared in Virginia. As a horse he had 
travelled to New York, the favorite steed 
of his owner. 

Then came the war, and Major Banastre 
Tarleton had annexed him for his own, and 
the two thundered along over more than 
one road in hot pursuit of some fleeing 
continental. Then Tarleton, now a lieu- 
tenant-colonel, had taken ship for the far 
southland, and Tartar with him; and for 
Tartar’s comfort unwisely he had annexed 
also a short, stout lad, who happened at 
the moment to be lingering about the 
wharf convenient for impressment. 


THE NEW COMMISSION. 


5 


Away through troubled seas they sailed, 
and Tartar had been supremely unhappy, 
finding life bearable only at meal times, 
and at one or two other stray moments 
when his horse-boy was doing his best to 
make him comfortable, thereby winning all 
the affection that a grateful horse could 
feel. 

Then came the wild gallops over the 
sandy paths of the Carolinas ; and presently 
his flight by night under that same horse-boy, 
who had brought him to Sumter’s camp in 
safety, and now had been joined by a friend 
from the North who had been with him in 
that same New York in a stealthy scout- 
ing trip, who had shared in his good for- 
tune of well-won promotion for the news 
sent back from thence, and who now had 
brought him his commission as reward. 
Why should not Tartar whisk his long tail 
in noble pride ? At all events, he did. 

Lieutenant Tom Ludlow of the continen- 
tal army brushed a speck from his spotless 
uniform and eyed his superior officer with 
amused satisfaction as they trotted along 
under the oaks and tall pines that shaded 


6 


Morgan’s men. 


the road. Good comrades were they, made 
so by three years of marching and fighting 
as privates together; and they were not 
less likely to be friends now that they had 
moved up steps in the social scale. 

Tom had not had his comrade’s educa- 
tional advantages as a boy, but contact 
with men of education was an education in 
itself, and there was a dignity to his speech, 
already, which went well with his uniform. 
The slang of a private foraging through 
the Jerseys would not do for the every-day 
language of a lad who might any day be 
interviewed by General Washington; and 
without saying a word to anybody he had 
been taking quiet notes of such matters and 
talking to himself in hours of solitude, with 
a result which already had been favourably 
commented on by his superior officers, and 
had led to his being intrusted with more 
than one important duty; and now here 
he was in the South, as one of the offi- 
cial family of General Nathanael Greene, 

Nevertheless he was not too old to rejoice 
in the tingling crispness of the morning air 
as they rode along out of Sumter’s camp. 


THE NEW COMMISSION. 


7 


where he had been on an official errand, and 
unexpectedly had found his friend just 
escaped from the British lines and a win- 
ter’s masquerade; and with a boyish, im- 
pulsive motion he snatched off his hat and 
flung it high in the air, catching it on his 
fist deftly as it descended after an erratic 
flight and a momentary pause for reflection 
on a branch of pine. Pine cones smell 
much alike. North and South, and the 
place seemed homelike. 

“ My sentiments exactly, Tom ! ” said 
the young captain with a laugh, as he 
carefully folded up the commission again 
and restored it to his breast. good, 

hearty yell would be a relief. Let ’s give 
one!” 

And a vulture soaring overhead craned 
his long neck until he nearly lost his bal- 
ance as he curiously eyed those incompre- 
hensible big birds below him who never 
flew but preferred to creep along so slowly 
across country down there, and yet could 
make such a far-reaching noise; and he 
gave an extra flap to his poised wings and 
sailed off rapidly to a quieter locality. 


8 


Morgan’s men. 


Then the two friends reached across 
space and for the fourth or fifth time that 
morning shook hands heartily, as boys of 
English race will, and settled down to talk 
things over in more decorous fashion. But 
what a number of things there were to talk 
about! Stuart had the siege and capture 
of Charleston to contribute for his share. 
Tom had Arnold’s treason for his, — a matter 
which so stunned his comrade, who had 
looked up to that strong, undisciplined 
genius of a general with a sort of hero-wor- 
ship second only to that which he felt for 
Washington, that for miles he had ridden 
onward in grief and silence. But the work 
of the world must be done each day, and 
there is no time to look backward in war; 
and presently the conversation awoke again 
and in more cheerful channels. 

One thing is rather odd, Tom,” Stuart 
presently remarked, with a smile. “Here 
we have been fighting side by side for years 
and years. We tramped together through 
Connecticut, and around in New York, and 
except for the last trip together we footed 
it across the Jerseys; and at Stony Point 


THE NEW COMMISSION. 


9 


it was all foot-work. Yet when promo- 
tion came it sent us both into the cavalry, 
although I do not see that I at least ever 
gave any indication of shining as a horse- 
man. How do you account for it?'’ 

Tom Ludlow chewed away at an oak-leaf 
for a moment before replying, and reflected. 

It is odd, now that you mention it. 
But — perhaps — we have proved that we 
can get across country, both of us, rather 
better than some men; and staff-officers 
are needed who can ride, and carry orders, 
and be trusted. Now, I don’t suppose 
that the General knew just how well 
educated you would be by this time, hut 
took it for granted that nobody could be 
Colonel Tarleton’s horse-boy long without 
learning how to stay on a horse, — and he 
knew of your ^ promotion ’ to that post, for 
I told him of it myself, although I forgot to 
tell him that you had enjoyed the priceless 
advantage of early lessons in horsemanship 
from me. At all events he hit it about 
right, I see, as he generally does.” 

I suppose that is it,” said Stuart, 
thoughtfully, ignoring the jest in view of 


10 


Morgan’s men. 


the seriousness of the subject. And I can 
tell you, Tom, that war down here is a dif- 
ferent kind of war from what it is in the 
North. In the Carolinas the man who can 
ride has altogether the best of it. I ’ve 
never seen Marion; but I’ve seen Sumter 
in battle, and felt him, too, when I was on 
the other side of the line before I could get 
away from the redcoats ; and you can have 
no idea how that man managed to keep us 
awake o’ nights 1 We never knew where 
to place him. He and his men were for- 
ever turning up just where they were not 
wanted, and were never round when Tarle- 
ton called, — save once or twice, when I 
hear he did catch some of them napping. 

‘‘ I think they made the colonel quite un- 
happy among them. I know they did Col- 
onel Webster of the 63d, ^ — the regiment 
they put me in. He used to curse such 
war as that, till his officers had to go off by 
themselves to have their laughs out where 
it was safe. I wonder who rides Muskrat 
now. I don’t envy the lad ! ” 

Your old horse ? ” 

Yes, if you could call him a horse. He 


THE NEW COMMISSION. 


11 


went on four feet when he didn’t prefer 
two, and he ate grass when he could n’t get 
a man ’s ear, or some other horse’s. I said 
once that I would give a good deal to trade 
him for Tartar, with Colonel Tarleton, but 
I never dreamed then that it really would 
come to pass, and I laughed enough for a 
year when I learned that the colonel, after 
our duel by moonlight, actually did ride 
back to camp on Muskrat while I was trav- 
elling north on Tartar. You served me 
well that night, old boy ! ” he added, patting 
the neck of the black, who reciprocated by 
a ringing snort of satisfaction and a skip 
across a rivulet. 

Then for a change they started their 
horses into a swinging gallop, the animals 
squealing and kicking in the fresh air, which 
was as much a tonic to them as to their 
masters, and one would have thought the 
party off for pleasure instead of being on 
the grim business of a bloody war. Tom 
Ludlow could not help casting side glances 
at Stuart as they rode, marvelling as he did 
so; for he recalled the time, not so very 
long ago, when he himself had given his 


12 


Morgan’s men. 


comrade beginner’s lessons in equitation; 
and he knew enough about the art to rec- 
ognize that the pupil had far surpassed the 
master. 

Far away among the pines once came 
the mellow note of a horn, to which Stuart 
turned a watchful ear, while a shade of 
uneasiness crossed his face. For some mo- 
ments he was silent, then asked abruptly : 

How far is it from here to General 
Greene’s, do you think?” 

Well, if I must talk in Carolina as the 
Carolinians do, I should say it is about two 
smart looks and a right smart chance be- 
yond. In old Massachusetts we would call 
it about seven miles. Why ? ” 

I don’t like cow-horns unless I know 
who blows them,” was the sententious reply. 

We would better push along.” 

Obedient to the hint of his rider, Tartar 
broke into a long, sweeping canter, the 
stride of which carried him over the road 
at a pace which made the other horse, good 
though he was, exert himself not a little to 
match ; and for a couple of miles they rode 
in silence. 


THE NEW COMMISSION. 


13 


You don’t suppose that the British 
have got as far North as this, do you ? ” 
asked Tom, presently. 

There ’s no telling. I should not mind 
the British but for the tories. They are 
much like Sumter’s men, — know the 
swamps well where they have lived, and so 
know how to get around swiftly in strange 
waters, and hence are not bad as guides 
for Tarleton. If there is a man on earth 
well hated by a Sumter man it’s a tory. 
If there ’s a man on earth whom a tory will 
go miles to get off the earth it ’s a Sumter 
man. So if we should happen to fall into 
their hands just now, they would carry you 
off to show you to Tarleton in that pretty 
uniform of yours ; while as for me, presently 
I should be turned into a pine cone on some 
convenient bough ; or if they did not swing 
me up Tarleton would, — and on my word, 
I can’t blame him when I think of his rid- 
ing Muskrat ! ” — an irrepressible smile 
wreathing the lips in strange contrast to 
the stern words which so calmly had just 
come from them. ^^Ah, there is water 
ahead!” 


14 


Morgan’s men. 


There was, and a good-sized stream at 
that, so deep that it was a swimming mat- 
ter, and they were not above stripping for 
the occasion, since riding in wet clothing is 
conducive to rheumatism, especially in 
October. Stuart wisely took his pistols 
from their holsters and held them high 
above his head as Tartar breasted the slug- 
gish current and forged across, blowing the 
water from his nostrils in playful snorts. 

Those are fine weapons,” said the lieu- 
tenant, admiringly, as he eyed them for a 
moment while they were readjusting their 
clothing. 

Are n’t they, though ! ” — and Stuart 
handed one over for examination, adding, 
with a twinkle in his eye, They were 
presents.’' 

No ! were they, though ? Who from ? ” 
^^From Tarleton. They came with the 
horse ! ” 

Hum ! if I hear some fine morning that 
Tarleton really has caught and hung you. 
Captain, as you yourself said, I can’t blame 
him. I don’t know how you could contrive 
to get deeper in his debt. By the way,” 


THE NEW COMMISSION. 


15 


he added with a hesitating, rather sheepish 
look, ^^it occurred to me. Captain, that 
you ’d find it hard to find a uniform down 
here, if I should happen to find you ; and, 
well — I thought — a pair of epaulettes 
don’t take up much room, you know — 
so, I just brought some along for you in 
my pocket to match the commission. We 
might put them on your hunting shirt 
now.” 

Stuart coloured like a girl, in spite of his 
tan. He had felt the inappropriateness of 
his costume alongside of his well-equipped 
comrade. 

I suppose it would be as well to wear 
them,” he said, after a moment’s thought ; 
and Tom drew them from his breast pocket 
and adjusted them to the sturdy shoulders 
before him with more satisfaction than if 
they had signified his own promotion. It 
was wonderful what a difference those two 
simple ornaments seemed to make in the 
boy’s whole appearance. Bright, new, 
gleaming as they were in their freshness, 
they made the rest of the costume appear 
especially soldierly and businesslike, as 


16 


Morgan’s men. 


though planned for the stern use of war, for 
which indeed it was well fitted. And it 
made his whole appearance not unlike 
what we now know as an officer in khaki 
uniform. 

But it was time to mount and proceed ; 
and without undue delay for admiration 
purposes Stuart gently hinted that it would 
be advisable to lose no further time ; and 
presently his caution seemed justified, for 
Tartar suddenly halted opposite a thicket 
and pricked up his ears. Tom started, and 
looked keenly thither, while Stuart bent 
suddenly forward over his horse’s neck. A 
second later, as it seemed, with no more 
noise than would be made by the flutter of 
a bat’s wing, a huge man in buckskin 
darted out of the thicket and grasped Tar- 
tar’s bridle with one hand, while his rifle 
was covering Tom. 

Dismount, you ! ” he said gruffly. Then 
he stopped speaking, with an odd gasp, for 
the rider of the horse which he had ar- 
rested so unceremoniously had made a little 
motion, — apparently just a little quiver of 
a motion, but he was well down behind the 


THE NEW COMMISSION. 


17 


high-raised neck of the horse, out of range 
from the thicket in that second, — and the 
gruff arrester was in range of a cavernous 
black muzzle, from behind which had come 
two steely clicks, and back of that these 
encouraging words : — 

Friend, this is a hair-trigger, — sur- 
render ! ’’ 


2 


CHAPTER II. 


IN THE CAMP OF GENERAL GREENE. 

^^QURRENDER!” 

O That is a remark which, the world 
over, is treated with respect when backed 
up by sufficient weaponry; and, as a rule, 
when the respect is not accorded, some one 
is apt to regret it. This information is not 
new. Doubtless it was old in the time of 
Goliath. And Goliath himself had reason 
to regret that he failed to recognize the 
merits of a sling as an equalizer of forces 
when in the hands of a David. 

Such being a law of war, Stuart Schuyler 
had every reason in the world to expect 
respect for his command, and was therefore 
considerably disconcerted when it was met 
by a fit of immoderate laughter on the part 
of the gigantic individual who was so in- 
considerately holding fast to his horse’s 
bridle ; but beyond a single flash of an eye- 


IN THE CAMP OF GENERAL GREENE. 19 

glance toward the thicket in search of some 
possible reason for this unseemly levity, 
his eyes only took on apparently a yet 
brighter keenness, and the long barrel of his 
right saw-handle ” was unswerving in its 
steadiness. 

Don’t fire. Captain ! ” cried Tom Lud- 
low, hastily. ^‘It’s the Colonel — beg 
pardon. General Morgan ! ” And he re- 
spectfully saluted the prisoner, if such he 
might be called. 

Stuart’s face remained unchanged in its 
stern, set duty-lines; but quietly elevating 
the muzzle to a safer poise, he uncocked his 
pistol, returned it to its holster, dropped 
lightly from the saddle, and stood at atten- 
tion, the huge bulk of the new-comer tow- 
ering over him as he eyed him curiously. 
The captain was not tall, to begin with; 
and he now seemed shorter than ever as he 
stood before the giant, whose green uni- 
form, though businesslike, yet wore an air 
of newness as though fresh from home. 

The big man nodded approvingly, and 
stepped lightly backward a pace or two 
with the lithe, - velvet-footed softness of a 


20 


Morgan’s men. 


panther, to where he could get a fair look 
at both his new acquaintances, eying them 
with swift, scrutinizing glances which 
seemed to take in every item of their uni- 
forms and characters at one and the same 
time. 

Where are you boys from ? ” he asked, 
turning to Tom as the last speaker. 

The lieutenant, thus directly accosted, dis- 
mounted and came to attention in his turn, 
in punctilious obedience to military eti- 
quette, saying, — 

^‘We are from Sumter’s camp. Gen- 
eral, with return despatches for General 
Greene.” 

Oh, indeed ! They must be important, 
sir, to require two officers to carry them,” 
was the bantering reply, which made Tom 
colour underneath all his tan as he added, 
in some confusion : — 

am the despatch-bearer, sir; this is 
Captain Stuart Schuyler, who is on his way 
from Sumter, where he is not needed, to 
report to headquarters, where he may be 
needed.” 

Oh, that is the case, is it? Well, I 


IN THE CAMP OF GENERAL GREENE. 21 

c 

won’t detain you long. I happened to be 
strolling this way, and concluded to sur- 
prise you a little, just by way of keeping 
my hand in ” — and he broke into a laugh 
like a boy overflowing with animal spirits. 

Yes, sir, we were properly surprised,” 
the lieutenant replied, a little drily, whereat 
the scouting general laughed outright 
again. 

Well — no, I can’t say that you were, 
justly ; I fear I shall have to apologize to 
you, my silent friend,” — turning to Stuart, 
who thus far had not spoken a word save 
his original command, — ^^but seeing a 
couple of particularly brilliant and new 
epaulettes mounted on a pair of weather- 
beaten shoulders clad in buckskin, I con- 
cluded to see for myself which was the 
leading sign when it came to business. 
I’m free to confess. Captain,” he added 
with a smile, that the buckskin came to 
the fire in a fashion which was eminently 
satisfactory. Faith ! I was not at all sure 
but that I would be marched back to camp 
as a prisoner at the muzzle of a pistol.” 

^^The buckskin has seen service, sir,” 


22 


Morgan’s men. 


said Stuart, modestly, but the straps are 
but one day old on my shoulders.” 

Ah ! how is that ? ” 

have been in the service for about 
three years, sir, but as captain only for a 
few days.” 

Not quite so. Captain, if you will ex- 
cuse me,” said the lieutenant. You will 
find that your commission dates back to 
February ; ” at which it was Stuart’s turn 
to colour. The general glanced from one 
to the other, but seeing no explanation was 
forthcoming and that the youthful captain 
was a trifle discomposed, he forbore to press 
the matter. But, feeling a slight tug at 
his sleeve, he turned suddenly and caught 
Tartar in the act of nibbling gently at the 
green uniform. 

Ah, you beauty ! I watched you as 
you came along and wished I had a regi- 
ment mounted on just such horses. I 
have n’t seen a better mount for a year ” — 
stroking the velvet muzzle. ‘^You don’t 
want to sell him, do you. Captain ? ” 

“ No, General ; it is my hope that I shall 
need him in the service.” 


IN THE CAMP OF GENERAL GREENE. 23 

Well, if you intend to do courier duty 
like the leftenant, here, I can see that 
there will be no time lost on the way, but I 
had thought from the buckskin that your 
line of work would be more on the skirmish 
line. Still, messengers are necessary, of 
course, and it is well to have them pro- 
perly mounted. But proceed with your de- 
spatches, gentlemen. I shall see you later, 
no doubt, and will try to bear you in mind 
when in need of couriers.’’ 

The general stepped back and watched 
with the look of an expert as both lads 
ignored their stirrups and vaulted lightly 
into saddle. He followed them with his 
eyes as they cantered away, saying to him- 
self as he did so : — 

Now, where have I seen that short fel- 
low before ? The leftenant I know. He 
came South with Greene. The other seems 
to have been South already, for he appar- 
ently was picked up with Sumter and 
brought along. He rides like a Southerner, 
too ; but he does n’t talk like one. He 
dresses like a swampman, but he is n’t one. 
My lad, I must keep an eye on you, I fear. 


24 


Morgan’s men. 


— And yet, how prompt the fellow was ! 
How long was he in getting out that prodi- 
gious pistol, — a regular duelling tool, now 
I think of it! — and bringing it to bear? 
Not five seconds, I ’ll swear, if it was that. 
If it had been real war between us, I am 
not sure but what for once I would have 
had to yield. That was the buckskin part, 
for it is as clear as the sun that he has 
seen service. But then, again, ordinary 
troopers don’t ride blooded horses nor carry 
saw-handles as holster pistols, nor use the 
king’s Enghsh like gentlemen ! ” and the 
experienced rifleman, who rarely made a 
mistake in his man, shook his head slowly, 
while a doubtful frown corrugated his mas- 
sively handsome brow. 

Let me see,” he continued musing, that 
salute, now, — a swampman would nT give 
that so cleanly cut — if he gave it at all. 
He might be the son of some planter, 
however. No, that can’t be I There ’s no 
mistaking the air of a lad who has lorded 
it over niggers. Whatever else he is, he 
isn’t that! Well, then, that salute, again. 
For a lad who has confessedly been scout- 


IN THE CAMP OF GENERAL GREENE. 25 

ing with Sumter, it smacks altogether too 
much of the regular. Yes, he is altogether 
too well drilled. He could not have exe- 
cuted it better if he had come straight from 
one of the British pipe-clayed regiments of 
the line. 

Hum ! possibly he did ! — for that would 
explain many things. A deserter? No,” — 
and again the sagacious old Indian fighter 
shook his head as he so patiently threaded 
this unknown trail. A son of some well- 
born family would never desert to us. He 
would have too little to gain by it, as yet. 
But — he might — desert with the consent 
of his captain ! Take Jack Andre, for ex- 
ample. That sort of people we call spies, 
and hang them as spies when we catch 
them. Now if this young fellow has 
crossed the lines with a view to getting 
back again to Cornwallis as Andr^ came 
out from Clinton — well, he stands as little 
chance of getting back again now,” — and 
the general absently ran his finger along the 
hollow in his cheek which marked the path 
of an Indian’s ball long years ago. He had 
resumed his walk, and was threading the 


26 


moegan’s men. 


forest with noiseless tread, casting an alert 
eye to the right and left in spite of his 
meditations ; and in due time, remembering 
his errand and finding a place to his liking, 
he dropped into ambush, and presently the 
inquisitive Yep-yep ! ” of a wild turkey 
sounded through the woods, which was 
answered faintly from a distance. 

Yep — yep — yep ! ” came the call again, 
so soft and persuasive that where was the 
turkey that could resist the invitation ? 

Yep — yep — yep — yep ! ” came the 
reply, nearer than before. Then presently 
the report of a gun echoed loudly through 
the forest, after which all was still. And 
in the proper season the headquarters’ mess 
discussed turkey-bones and complimented 
General Greene on having so efficient a 
volunteer quartermaster in the person 
of their accomplished backwoods general, 
whose love of the chase sometimes took 
him far afield. 

But that came afterward. 

Meanwhile Stuart and Tom rode rapidly 
onward to make up for their brief delay. 

^^So that is General Morgan, is it?” 


IN THE CAMP OF GENERAL GREENE. 27 

remarked Stuart. I thought he was a 
colonel.’' 

^^So he was till a little while ago; but 
he has been promoted, as he ought to be. 
He ’s a great fighter and a dead shot, I can 
tell you. You ’ll like him, I know.” 

I dare say ; but it will be more to the 
point if he likes me, I imagine,” laughed 
the other. He ’s a tremendous fellow, in 
size. I had to look right up at him. He 
makes me think of Ethan Allen.” 

^^So he does,” assented the lieutenant. 

I saw Allen once, myself. But Morgan 
is different. He used to be full of the old 
Harry, playing off all sorts of practical 
jokes like a great boy. But he’s sobered 
down some, now, — although his trying to 
surprise us is just like him. I was mortally 
afraid, though, that you would blow his 
head off before I could get in a word, and 
I guess the general himself wasn’t pre- 
pared for quite such an ending to his sur- 
prise party,” — and Tom laughed softly to 
himself. 

generally know what I ’m firing at 
before I shoot,” was the reply to that. 


28 


Morgan’s men. 


“ Yes, I know, and that 's all very well. 
But when a man is jumped out at like that 
he might be excused if he shot first and 
inquired afterward what it was all about. 
Ah! there’s the camp.” 

It was clear that the effects of the reign 
of Gates were not yet over, for no outpost 
halted them as they drew near. However, 
to make up for that omission in discipline, 
a body of fully eight hundred men was 
manoeuvring about in a little plain under 
the commands of officers who seemed to 
have shouted themselves hoarse in the effort 
to decrease the mistakes and increase the 
efficiency of their pupils. Not a man in 
sight was exempt from the drill, unless one 
mounted officer might be excepted, and 
even he was watching the work with a 
keen intensity; now sending an aide dy- 
ing off to some distant battalion with an 
order, now personally halting some squad 
and supplementing its officer’s instructions 
by an explanation; while now and then 
as the men rested for a moment on their 
arms a group of leaders were called to- 
gether and stood respectfully before their 


IN THE CAMP OF GENERAL GREENE. 29 

commander-in-chief, listening to his criti- 
cisms of the drill and his orders for the 
next essay. 

The men were drilling with spirit. They 
moved promptly if unevenly at command, 
and the entire force seemed to be ani- 
mated by a single desire, — to perfect itself 
in the drill at the earliest moment possi- 
ble. Stuart watched them with the eye 
of an expert. 

Those men are doing well, Tom. It 
isn’t as clean work as our regiment up 
North used to do ” — what soldier ever 
does find a regiment which can drill as well 
as his own old one! — ^^but it compares 
very well with the 63d, and is better than 
the tories used to show when I saw them 
last. Not but what they had good men 
among them, however. Major Ferguson’s 
command was as good a company as one 
will see in a long day’s ride, and it was 
wonderful luck that they came to grief at 
King’s Mountain. I saw them start out, 
and happened to be present when the news 
came about them; and it made a great 
sensation in the British ranks. They’d 


30 


Morgan’s men. 


had nothing like it, I believe, since Bur- 
goyne. But there’s your chance, Tom! 
They ’ve come to a rest, and the general is 
looking.” 

Stirring up their horses a little they 
moved across the plain, Stuart presently 
drawing rein and allowing his friend to 
present himself alone. 

A few minutes later, in obedience to a 
sign, he found himself for the first time 
before the general. 

You have some message for me. Cap- 
tain ? ” asked the latter, with a glance at 
the exceedingly businesslike attire of the 
young man before him and a half-smile 
at the brightness of the badges on his 
shoulders. 

Not exactly. General. I am Stuart 
Schuyler, formerly in the ranks of a Mas- 
sachusetts regiment of infantry, but now 
promoted to be a captain of cavalry, and as 
yet unattached. I beg leave to present 
myself for orders. Here is my commis- 
sion, sir.” 

The general looked him over thought- 
fully. 


IN THE CAMP OF GENERAL GREENE. 31 

Just now we have no cavalry, unless 
we count in Morgan’s riflemen. Sumter, 
Lee, and Marion are all far from here with 
their troops. But no doubt we can find a 
use for you. What can you do ? ” 

It was rather a blow to Stuart. He had 
looked forward for many hours to being 
placed at once in command of a slashing 
troop of hard-riding men, such as he had 
been consorting with of late on the other 
side.” But he had come to the camp with 
the aim, first of all, to make himself use- 
ful. So with scarcely a pause he pointed 
toward the nearest squad of resting men, 
saying : — 

I know my drill, General. I can help 
at drilling others.” 

Good ! ” — and the general looked his 
pleasure. ^^We need drill-masters, for we 
are all too few. I see you rode in with 
Mr. Ludlow, and he will introduce you to 
the rest of us. This way, please, Mr. Lud- 
low ! — Introduce the captain to his com- 
rades, and present my compliments to 
Colonel Fairfax and ask him to assign a 
company to him for drilling. That is all. 


32 Morgan’s men. 

gentlemen. I shall see you both to-night 
at dinner.” 

With that he turned away, already deep 
in thought over his problem of making a 
few do the effective work of many. 


CHAPTER III. 


WHAT CAPTAIN STUART SCHUYLER 
COULD DO.’’ 

T T THAT can yon do ? ” 

V V After all, that generally is the 
first question asked a young man in this 
part of the world when he desires to enter 
into a new life. Not “who was your great- 
grandfather ? ” nor “ how deep is your 
purse ? ” but the plain, blunt query quoted 
above; and on the answer depends what 
the questioner thinks that young man is 
worth. 

Stuart Schuyler had plenty of common 
sense, and the question did not trouble him 
in the least ; but his comrade, Tom, after 
meditating awhile as they walked away, 
burst suddenly into a fit of laughter. 

“ If the joke is so good you ought to give 
me a chance to laugh, too,” remarked 
Stuart, presently, when he had deemed 


34 MORGAN’S MEN. 

that the merriment had been carried far 
enough. 

Why, here we Ve been looking forward 
to positions in some fine cavalry regiment, 
— at least I have,” he interpolated, with 
ingenuous honesty, — and after three years 
of foot drill here we are at it again just 
where we left ofi.” 

Well, not exactly, Tom. It ’s the 
other side of the shield, now.” 

The what ? ” 

Tom was not well read in the classics, 
and the allusion puzzled him. 

^^Did you never hear of the two men 
who stopped to look at a statue bearing a 
shield, one of whom called it silver, while 
the other swore it was of gold ? ” 

No. What happened ? ” 

Oh, they fought it out, until they had put 
each other out of action, after which they 
found out that the shield had two sides, like 
most things that haven’t more. We had 
the silver side as privates long enough ; now 
we will have a chance to try the other.” 

Hum ! ” precious little silver have I 
seen, my friend, for many a month past,” 


CAPTAIN STUART SCHUYLER. 35 

and Tom pulled out a handful of scrip 
which in those days did duty as money — 
as far as it went — and eyed it with great 
disfavour. I hope the ^ other side ’ you 
speak of will at least be more productive.” 

War-making isn't a mercantile pro- 
fession, exactly, I admit. But neither of 
us went into it for profits of that kind, so 
we have no particular reason to feel dis- 
appointed. If we get through, it and keep 
our heads on our shoulders, we two at least 
ought to be well satisfied.” 

Do you really suppose Tarleton would 
hang you if he caught you ? ” asked the lieu- 
tenant, a little soberly for him. He had not 
seriously taken that point of view before. 

Have n’t a doubt of it,” said the cap- 
tain, cheerfully. Why should n’t he ? In 
his eyes I am just a deserter. If he learned 
that I went into New York as a spy when he 
had the luck to pick me up, that would 
simply increase his satisfaction at bringing 
my earthly career to a sudden end. I tell 
you, Tom, war down South — is war. You 
thought Stony Point was war, no doubt, 
when we went like a whirlwind across that 


36 


Morgan’s men. 


causeway through the night, bayoneting 
every man we met. But what happened 
when they cried for quarter ? We just 
stopped. 

Now, my lad, I learned one thing down 
yonder which it will be well for you to 
learn likewise, in such fashion that it will 
not be forgotten. If you find yourself in 
a tight place and your commander or your 
comrades are calling for quarter, never 
you mind whether the enemy be Tarle- 
ton or tory, see to it that you let the 
other men do the calling. Your business 
just then is to fight your level best ; and if 
it has got so far, to cut your way out. No 
matter what the risk, take it. If you fail, 
you won’t be the worse ofi ; and you may 
win your way out.” 

I can hardly believe that matters can 
be as bad as that,” said Tom, incredulously. 

We have always given quarter up North, 
have n’t we ? ” 

Generally, yes, — although I am afraid 
we were a little slow to hear sometimes 
when we got among the Hessians. Our 
men had no love for fellows who fought 


CAPTAIN STUART SCHUYLER. 37 

against them just for hire, and speaking a 
foreign tongue at that. Also when it came 
to be a case of skinner and cowboy men 
were apt to stop when their knives were 
red, and not before. Now that ’s exactly 
the case down here. There are whole regi- 
ments of tories. Marion’s men were their 
neighbours, once. I understand that they 
were rough neighbours, too. When a man 
ties up his slave and cuts him into mince- 
meat with a whip for running away, ^ to 
encourage the others,’ it isn’t likely that 
he himself will get more tender-hearted 
because of the occurrence, whether he does 
the whipping with his own fair fingers or 
with an overseer’s, or stands by and sees it 
done on some neighbour’s plantation.” 

It seems to me, Stuart, that you ought 
to let the general know just how matters 
stand between you and Tarleton. It may 
serve to keep you out of trouble.” 

^^No, that won’t do!” replied the young 
captain, quickly. ^^He has trouble enough 
on his hands, now, to reorganize Gates’s 
army, and that’s business enough for any 
general ; and it ’s our duty to help, not to 


38 


Morgan’s men. 


hamper him, and to go where he orders. 
And just now my orders are — to drill 
those men over yonder.’’ 

Stuart lost no time in getting Tartar 
well cared for, and in bestowing his few 
belongings in a brush camp which his expe- 
rienced eye informed him was reasonably 
rainproof, although otherwise hardly bear- 
ing out the assertion of its other occupant 
— Major Burnet — that it was the most 
comfortable residence in the South. The 
major had kindly welcomed his new com- 
rade, o:ffering him the hospitality of his 
shelter, and eventually came greatly to like 
the silent young fellow who had dropped 
among them apparently from nowhere. 

It was with mingled feelings that the 
young captain took his stand the next 
morning for the first time before his com- 
pany, in obedience to orders. His voice 
had a tendency to sound small and far 
away, to himself at least, when he gave an 
order ; and it was a singular sensation to 
have one hundred pairs of eyes all focussed 
on him and watching his slightest motion. 


CAPTAIN STUART SCHUYLER. 39 

staring out of faces smiling, faces frown- 
ing, all contemptuous and forbidding. The 
men resented his appointment, this stranger 
from nowhere. That was as plain as a 
pikestaff. It interfered with promotion 
among them, and it was likely that there 
would be trouble ahead. 

But this obvious fact acted rather as a 
spur than otherwise to Schuyler, and his 
mouth clamped together with a snap as 
he stood coolly eying the half-defiant at- 
titudes of the men for some seconds after 
the colonel had left him subsequent to 
• their halt just there before the waiting 
troop. Man after man he silently scanned 
from head to foot, singling out as by in- 
stinct the leaders, the bolder spirits, who 
would be likely to come to the front in 
any trouble, whether it be a mutiny or 
a charge. Man after man they felt those 
keen eyes boring through and through 
them, as though reading their very souls ; 
felt them, grew uneasy, fairly squirmed, 
and drew unconscious sighs of relief when 
the scrutinizing orbs passed to the next. 
And each man thus dealt with forgot to 


40 


Morgan’s men. 


think further in regard to the youth of the 
officer who had just eyed him down. 

On one or two the eyes rested longer than 
on others. They needed it. But the result 
was exactly the same. The iron will dom- 
inated the weaker ones — weaker because 
they knew they were in the wrong. No- 
body knew anything about hypnotizing then, 
either as a name or as a science. As a re- 
sult, that is not so certain. An aged Scot, 
who loafed in the ranks, felt himself slowly 
stiffening up, losing his slouchiness, assum- 
ing the attitude of the guardsman that he 
once was, back in the old. country; and 
that, too, with every possible intention to 
do exactly the contrary ; and when he 
found himself left poised mentally in that 
attitude of obedience where he had expected 
to stand insubordinate, he gazed dourly 
straight before him, and muttered to him- 
self as much as to his neighbour, hardly 
knowing, in truth, that Was speaking, — 
Mon, mon, yon lad is no canny ! ” 
’Tention ! 

With what a sharp, keen ring the order 
came ! and they stood attention,” too. 


CAPTAIN STUART SCHUYLER. 41 

every man ! They kne~v the commands — 
that much had beer oaught them. Now 
for the first time they knew what it meant 
to obey them with the snap and unanimity 
so dear to the commanding officer ruling 
over all, whose regiment is made up of just 
such units, and is effective or not in accord- 
ance with their unanimity. Long ere the 
morning’s work had ended Stuart became 
conscious through the back of his head that 
General Greene himself had halted his 
horse behind him and was silently watching 
the progress of the dri]^ * ut np^ waver 
of his eye betrayed it. ile kepu his men 
as steadily under guard as a trainer in a 
lion’s den keeps watch on his treacherous 
charges. 

If a man failed in promptness he felt those 
eyes boring into him on the instant, although 
he was but one among a hundred ; and the 
next order found him up to the mark. If 
he failed because he did not understand — 
and some few of the orders were more or 
less new to one or two, the captain seemed 
to know by intuition that it was a case for 
tuition, and gave it, accordingly, in words 


42 


Morgan's men. 


surprisingly few, yet not one word too few. 
And that error was not repeated soon by 
that man. Then presently the soft thud of 
a horse's hoof came to Stuart's keen ear 
as the sound sprang into being, and then 
ambled slowly into faintness as the general 
moved away to some other company with- 
out a word. Yet in some occult sympathy 
between man and man he read in the ex- 
pressions of the faces in line before him 
that the general had nodded his satisfaction 
as he rode away. After which presently, 
in all official sternness indeed, up cantered 
Lieutenant Ludlow, with — 

General Greene’s compliments to Cap- 
tain Schuyler, and he finds the captain’s 
company so forward in its drill that he 
wishes it excused from further drill until 
four o'clock this day.” 

To which with unmoved countenance 
Stuart of course replied : — 

Present Captain Schuyler's respects to 
General Greene and his company’s thanks 
for the commendation, and inform him 
tha,t his instructions have been obeyed.” 
Then wheeling, — 


CAPTAIN STUART SCHUYLER. 43 

Attention ! The drill is ended. Break 
ranks.’' 

And the next thing was a spontaneous 
and hearty cheer from the aroused men. 

Hurrah for the little captain ! ” 

It paid to obey orders, after all. And 
they went off to their quarters in huge con- 
tentment as they watched from the shade 
their less fortunate comrades still work- 
ing away in the hot sun out in the 
open. 

The little captain’s ” company, indeed, 
was looked upon with envy by many an 
eye in the days that followed. Officers 
watched the drill in more or less hopeless- 
ness as they recognized how far their own 
companies fell beneath its excellence, and 
made invidious comparisons between the 
quality of its men and their own, to the 
disparagement of the latter. The men, like 
most soldiers, thinking only of the present 
and careless of the future, grumbled secretly 
because they were not favoured with long 
resting times, and were sullen under the 
beratings of their drill-masters, yet were 
roused to emulation by the example and 


44 


Morgan’s men. 


the good results of it — to the men. But 
the captain’s work did not end there. 

The drill was ended, and the men had 
gone ofE to their quarters, as stated; but 
the captain went too. It did not take his 
experienced eye long to see many a defect in 
their comforts. That shelter was built in 
a hollow. It gave headroom, surely, but 
would be afloat in the next rain ; — and its 
occupants instantly were ordered to dig a 
drain around it. This one — did the men 
know which way the wind here generally 
blew ? No ? Look over yonder, then, and 
see which way all those trees on this stiU 
day are leaning, all in one direction, too. 
Tear that shelter down, and face it the 
other way. What is that oflal doing in 
that corner ? Don’t you know what buzzards 
are for ? Carry it outside the lines at once, 
where the birds can get at it.” And pres- 
ently the shadow of a pair of broad wings 
drifted like a cloud across the campground. 
What were the company’s cooks doing, in 
the grove beyond ? Could n’t they tell by 
the odor that the meal in that kettle was 
burning, and needed more water? 


CAPTAIN STUART SCHUYLER. 45 

^^Here, you; run over there and tell 
those cooks that if they burn that mush 
they ’ll get no dinners till they ’ve eaten 
every ounce of it themselves ! ” 

And the man addressed dropped his gun 
on the brush heap that served as his bed 
and went off as though shot from a can- 
non, — and whatever emphasis he may 
have added to the order in its transmission, 
it is certain that there was a startlingly 
sudden activity among the cooks that 
watched the fire. It is one thing to be too 
lazy to add water to mush that is to be eaten 
by other people; it is quite another thing 
to have to eat burned cornmeal one’s self ; 
hence white steam speedily arose from the 
swinging kettle, and the men in the camp 
grinned, while now and then one slapped 
his thigh with enthusiastic emphasis. This 
was regular” work beyond a doubt. What 
militia captain cared for such details ? 

Then the officer halted before a shelter, 
half-filled by a tumultuous heap of boughs. 

Whose place is this ? ” 

Mine, Captain,” — and a man stepped 
forward, saluting respectfully. He would 


46 Morgan’s men. 

not have dreamed of doing that a few 
hours ago. 

Take out those boughs.” The man did 
so. 

^^Let the sergeants and corporals come 
here.” A silent group of mystified men 
came forward and stood in line. 

^‘Now, you,” — turning to the private, 
— ^^take those larger boughs and thrust 
their butts into the sand, with the curve 
upward. That ’s it ; now another line, a 
few inches back, with the twigs overlap- 
ping the others — that ’s it ; now keep on, 
till you’ve made it look like a shingled 
roof. I’ll guarantee that you will sleep 
soft to-night. Now, sergeants, you have 
seen how a camp bed should be made, — I 
am surprised to find that such a lesson was 
necessary. To-morrow morning I shall 
expect to find every bed in the company 
made like that, and shall hold you respon- 
sible for it. That is all,” and, his inspec- 
tion over, he turned to leave. 

Excuse me, sir,” said one of the men, a 
tall, broad-shouldered, intelligent-looking 
fellow. ^^Will the Cap’n pardon me for 


CAPTAIN STUART SCHUYLER. 47 

askin’ whar he lamed so much about camp 
life ? None of the other officers know any 
more ’n we uns do, so we ’re mighty satis- 
fied with ourn, but kinder cur’us.” 

The captain smiled, and when he smiled 
he looked young again. 

I had three years of it, as a private, 
my man.” 

Good lord ! ” ejaculated the soldier, 
staring, then recovering himself. ^^Well, 
the Cap’n will find, I reckon, that this 
comp’ny ’s goin’ to ’bey orders.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


WHAT TWO GENERALS THOUGHT OF A 
CAPTAIN. 

I T was the custom of the general every 
morning to hold a little conference 
with his officers when his correspondence 
permitted, — although, to tell the truth, 
that same correspondence took up a* deal of 
his time ; for commanding an army is not 
ended when the sword has been hung on 
the tent peg for the night ; and scouts must 
be interviewed, despatches must be read, 
replies must be written, persuasive and 
pacifying letters must be most carefully 
thought out for sending to distant officers 
who are jealous of each other and are disin- 
clined to pull together, — a thing which is 
more apt to happen, perhaps, in an army 
of semi-independent commands than in any 
other ; although even a regular army corps 
is not always free from it. Let no man or 


WHAT TWO GENERALS THOUGHT. 49 

boy who reads this aspire to be a general 
unless he is also willing to write or read 
and indorse papers by the hundred and do 
all the work of government besides. 

But at these little business assemblies 
Stuart Schuyler met and learned to know 
many of his fellow officers, and found them 
for the most part to be very polished gentle- 
men. Naturally, as the youngest among 
them, he kept modestly in the background, 
expressing no opinion on matters which 
came up because no one asked for it ; listen- 
ing to his instructions with a silent intent- 
ness which lost no part of them, and obeying 
them in due time without comment. 

But this was an army of freemen, and 
the officers were no less free, and therefore 
no less given to habits of discussion than 
volunteers fresh from farm and town-meet- 
ing. Hence the possessor of so strictly 
military a habit was made rather promi- 
nent than otherwise by that very reticence ; 
and more than once Stuart was conscious 
that the burly Morgan was eying him in 
an indefinable manner, as though meditat- 
ing a variety of things, both compliment- 


50 


Morgan’s men. 


ary and the contrary. And once as he left 
the assembly and turned his steps toward 
his company he heard Morgan ask, — 

What do you know of that young fel- 
low, General?” 

The reply, of course, he did not hear. 
But the question itself gave him reason for 
considerable cogitation. 

The answer, had he heard it, might have 
given him more. 

know very little. General,” Greene 
had said. Merely his word, his work, his 
commission. Why do you ask ? ” 

^^His word might be false, his work a 
mask, his commission forged,” replied Mor- 
gan, sententiously. 

Why do you think so ? ” — and the com- 
manding officer looked up with a startled 
air. 

I did not say I thought so, sir ; only, it 
might be so. But I will admit that the lad 
puzzles me.” 

^^Well?” 

He is too young for his work.” 

But he seems to know his duty ; I be- 
lieve we have no better drill-master.” 


WHAT TWO GENERALS THOUGHT. 51 

That is what I mean, sir. He knows 
it altogether too well for his age.'’ 

Oh ! However, that is hardly to be 
regarded as a fault, is it?” — and the 
elder general smiled a little at his stalwart 
junior, and sought a more comfortable 
angle in his camp-chair. 

“ I am' not so sure about that,” came the 
reply slowly. know only one place 

where small boys are made officers and so 
have such education when they reach where 
he is now — the British army.” 

I don't know about that, Morgan ! '' 
said the general, quickly. He is no back- 
woodsman, of course, — excuse me ! we can 
find no fault with backwoods which give 
us Morgans,'' he interpolated, with a genial 
smile, — and it would not surprise me to 
find that he is city bred. We get excel- 
lent results sometimes from lads whose 
wits have been quickened by hard study, 
until they have learned how to study when 
they have to take up some new life. I see 
nothing British about him, myself.” 

Nor do I,” was the reluctant reply, — ^ 
^^at least, as yet.” 


52 


Morgan’s men. 


Well, what then ? ” 

I suppose it is the mystery that puzzles 
me, really. There are not many men who 
can hide their trail when once I am on it, 
or catch me in ambush. Perhaps Indian 
warfare has made me overprone to suspi- 
cion, also ; but I must confess I would pre- 
fer to see an Andr6 in every man whom I 
cannot fathom, rather than find one Andre, 
too late, in some one whom I had deemed 
too insignificant to notice. When the Iro- 
quois are abroad. General, we don’t over- 
look a broken twig because it happens to 
be small.” 

Greene smiled indulgently. 

While young Schuyler can hardly be 
called an insignificant twig, — ^ indeed, I be- 
lieve he is one of our very best drill-masters, 
and is bringing his company into shape 
with wonderful speed, — nevertheless I 
imagine General Morgan would find it an 
easy task to break him if found crooked 
after all.” 

^^I don’t know about that, either. He 
never offers an opinion, I notice, — per- 
haps because none has been asked, — but a 


WHAT TWO GENERALS THOUGHT. 53 

quicker-witted fellow does not live under 
American sky. I had his horse by the 
bridle in a fashion that would shake the 
nerve of a veteran ; yet before I could open 
my mouth for a word I was looking down 
the barrel of a pistol. He thinks, — quick, 
and to the point. Yet he says nothing. 
What becomes of those thoughts of his? 
They must go somewhere.'' 

‘^Ah, Morgan, that goes too deep into 
philosophy for me to follow. Who can say 
where our unspoken thoughts do go ? But 
to sum up you would say, — 

Yond’ Cassius hath a lean and hungry look ; 

He thinks too much : such men are dangerous, — 

would you not?" 

The hardy backwoodsman laughed. 

That is Shakespeare, is it not ? Some- 
thing of the sort is in my mind, I grant ; 
although when it comes to fatness, the 
camp is full of Cassiuses. Well, perhaps 
I am utterly wrong ; but I venture to sug- 
gest that when another assembly meets you 
ask his opinion casually on some subject 
and try to draw him out a little. I should 
like a few more signs on le trail before I 


54 


Morgan’s men. 


try to identify his totem. Snapshots are 
good enough if it is a case of then or 
never ; but a clear range and a steady aim 
is what the hunter counts on to keep the 
camp in venison. But I have taken too 
much of your time with this, already. 
Now about the mountain men. I believe 
Otho Williams is the very man to raise a 
company, and they are bound to be good 
shots, all. That was where Ferguson had 
no chance at King’s Mountain. The men 
went up the slope as though they were out 
on a squirrel hunt, and whenever a tory 
eye squinted around a tree-trunk the bark 
flew pretty near it. We want born rifle- 
men for work like ours when powder’s 
scarce.” 

You know these men, Morgan,” said 
the general, earnestly. Why cannot we 
enlist them and get them to drill and work 
under proper discipline ?” 

Morgan shook his massive head. 

‘^You will never get them to do that. 
They live a free life, ever ready to beat 
back an Indian raid, and so accustomed to 
jump to the front at a word’s notice when 


WHAT TWO GENERALS THOUGHT. 55 

danger threatens ; but when that is past 
they want to go home again. You must 
remember, sir, that they are frontiersmen. 
They live largely on game. When the 
father is gone to the wars, the eldest boy 
must take to the woods for the family 
meat. Meanwhile the father is wondering 
how they are getting on at home ; so pres- 
ently he feels that he must go and see; 
and once there, it is a chance if he comes 
back again very soon. We must take 
them, as they are, and when we get them, 
put them where they simply can’t run away ; 
for no untrained men can stand a bayonet 
charge out in the open. Then they will 
fight, and fight well, — for a while, at 
least.” 

Meanwhile, you want to have me put 
away the best trained young officer in the 
camp,” laughed the general. “ Well, we ’ll 
see, we ’ll see.” And he turned to a sheaf 
of commissary reports and soon was deep 
in intensely interesting columns of figures 
relating to so many sacks of beans, so many 
head of live cattle, like the balance-sheet of 
a farmer in a wholesale way. 


56 


Morgan’s men. 


Nevertheless, even generals are mortal, 
and he was not sorry in due time to take a 
walk for quiet meditation in the cool of the 
evening. The smoke of the fires rose per- 
pendicularly above the trees, and the camp 
was alive with the hum of voices, so the 
whim seized him to wander apart toward 
a somewhat secluded grove. Even there, 
however, he overheard the sound of laughter, 
with now and then a cry of Well hit ! ” 
and a clapping of hands, over and above 
which through it all came a curiously inter- 
mittent clatter. 

With his curiosity aroused he strolled 
inward, and near the centre of the grove in 
a grassy glade he found an excited group 
of the younger officers, each with a stout 
cane in his hand, and coatless. Out in the 
centre of the glade stood Stuart, defending 
himself deftly against the unskilful attacks 
of two comrades, who kept between certain 
marked lines, and had all they could do, 
evidently, to hold their own in the contest. 
Even as he looked, the cane of one swerved 
for a second from control, and in that 
second came the thud of Stuart’s thrust, 


WHAT TWO GEN-ERALS THOUGHT. 57 

and a fresh man leaped forward into the 
tracks of the fencer as he staggered back, 
and instantly engaged the captain’s tireless 
foil. 

The general tarried a moment or two, 
enjoying the sport, and admiring the skill 
of the lad, then withdrew unobserved, lest he 
mar their pleasure by seeming to be watch- 
ing them. Yet, so apt are we to be influ- 
enced by others in our judgments that he 
mused : — 

Morgan is right about one thing, — the 
lad is educated above his station. I must 
keep an eye on him.” 

Meanwhile, the object of his thoughts 
was busily engaged in educating others. 

You must hold your cane more lightly, 
Tom ! It is n’t a broadaxe, remember ! 
And let your forefinger reach along it so 
that you will seem to point with it. It is 
perilous for the finger, perhaps, but a 
deadly offence is the best defence. Keep 
your arm bent, and your point low ; then 
if your opponent thrusts he is bound to 
come well within your reach. The point 
is no place to parry ! An Ajax could not 


58 


mokgan’s mek. 


depend upon the pressure. So ! — and 
the instructor himself had to skip nimbly 
out of distance with a laugh as his pupil 
obeyed directions with unexpected prompt- 
ness and fairly caught him unawares. 

Now what I want to know, Captain, is, 
why that thrust didn’t take you right 
under the collar-bone before you had time 
to hop away ?” demanded the aggravated 
lieutenant. 

^^Well, it wasn’t your fault that it 
did n’t. I could not parry it as I then was, 
and knew it before the thrust came. I felt 
that it ought to come, although I had no 
business to expose myself as I did. There- 
fore, even as you planned the lunge I was 
already leaping out of reach. It becomes 
second nature, I suppose, just as one swallow 
in the air will dodge another crossing tracks 
without stopping to think about it. Your 
feet learn to wink at coming danger just as 
your eyes do. I can give no other reason.” 

Were you ever ^out,’ Captain ? ” asked 
one of the older officers, significantly, as by 
mutual consent they desisted from their 
sport. 


WHAT TWO GENERALS THOUGHT. 59 

No, nor do I ever wish to be,” was the 
frank reply. I ’m not fond of killing 
men.” 

Duels are not always fatal,” remarked 
another, with a lazy. Southern drawl. 

As to the killing, what of it ? The 
other fellow must die some time, and 
why not then ? However, you are young, 
and I suppose the idea comes with a 
sort of shock to you. We in the South, 
here, sometimes are right quick on the 
trigger, and so come to think less of it, 
perhaps. And a man must defend his 
honour, you know. You T1 get over it, I 
have no doubt, after you have laid out a 
redcoat or two.” 

hardly think so,” said Stuart, with 
a sober smile. Perhaps it is because 
I can use my weapons rather more than 
a little fairly ; but if 1 were to call a 
man out, rightly or wrongly, I should feel 
confident that he would have no chance 
before me, and what sort of honour would 
demand that kind of a defence ? No ! 
another man might do it, perhaps ; but 
for me to do it would be, I think, 


60 * Morgan’s men. 

cowardly. It would be betting on a 
certainty.” 

But the other man might choose the 
pistol,” suggested the major. 

Then he would just have no chance at 
all ! ” laughed Tom Ludlow. Don’t any 
of you make any mistake about this. First 
and last, up North, I guess the captain has 
deprived King George of about a company 
of his soldiers.” 

Don’t, Tom ! ” said Stuart, hastily. I 
hate to think of them. There was not one 
of them that I would have attacked in my 
own behalf, or whose death did not benefit 
our country in some way.” 

“ I don’t see as that makes any difference 
to them now, does it ? ” — and the lieutenant 
got into his coat again. In any case, 
they ride and raid no more.” 

There was a decided sensation among the 
group now reclining at ease under the trees. 
One or two of them sat up and looked 
curiously from Stuart to Tom, in manifest 
varying shades of disbelief. Stuart looked 
decidedly vexed. 

Is that a fact, Mr. Ludlow ? ” asked the 


WHAT TWO GENERALS THOUGHT. 61 

major, seriously. It is rather a grave 
matter for a joke.’’ 

I am not joking, sir,” replied the lieu- 
tenant, smiling in spite of his comrade’s 
frowns. 


CHAPTER V. 


A MAP IN THE SAND. 

O 0 you two were together up North, 

O were you ? ” queried Major Burnet 
of the lieutenant, meditatively chewing a 
straw. thought you came from Sum- 
ter, Captain ? ’’ he added, turning to Stuart. 

I did, sir. Tom, here, and I were com- 
rades, as he says, but what I may have 
done in the shooting line in the past was 
wholly in the line of duty.” 

How long have you been with Sumter, 
Captain?” asked one of the other officers, 
as he picked out a comfortable spot and 
sat down with his back to a tree, the 
others unanimously following so laudable 
an example. 

I joined him just before ifhe battle at 
the ford of the Tyger.” 

^^Tell us about it. Was it much of a 
battle ? ” 


A MAP IN THE SAND. 


63 


Hardly. 1 don’t think one could call 
it that. We would have called it so, say 
three years ago, perhaps ; but really it was 
just a good smart skirmish. It was n’t 
more simply because there were not more 
of us, on either side. On ours, we did what 
we could, and Tarleton, — well, he made 
a mistake. That is all there was to it.” 

^‘You forget. Captain, that we really 
have heard very little about it, beyond the 
fact that there was a fight and Sumter got 
hurt,” suggested the major, gently. 

Well, sir, Sumter got word that Tarle- 
ton was coming in greater force than 
he, and prepared to withdraw to a safer 
quarter, but was overtaken by the British 
van. He took post on a hillside in a grove, 
and nearly annihilated that vanguard at 
the first fire. His men can shoot, you 
know. Then we crossed the ford peace- 
fully that night and scattered. As you see, 
it is all very simple to tell of, though a 
little exciting to go through.” 

Having been with Sumter, perhaps you 
can give us some idea how things have 
been going further South, Schuyler.” 


64 Morgan’s men. 

“ I suspect that I know little that you do 
not know already, sir. Kawdon was at 
Camden at last accounts, and I think 
Marion was watching him. Cornwallis was 
somewhere between there and Georgetown, 
which is on the coast. I think the disaster 
to Ferguson at King’s Mountain shook up 
my lord considerably, and rather balanced 
matters for Buford’s some time before.” 

What was that affair — does anybody 
know ? I’ve heard all sorts of stories since 
I came South,” remarked another captain, 
as he endeavoured to extract a spark from 
a flint and steel for the ignition of some 
rather damp tinder, and, later, a cigar. 
Men smoked fewer cigars in those days; 
partly because they had less, partly because 
it took longer to light them. 

^^It was a small affair as to numbers, 
I believe, but a bloody and brutal business,” 
replied Stuart, gravely. “We ought to 
make allowance, however, for the fact that 
Tarleton had been chasing Buford night 
and day for some three days, at speed, cut- 
ting down a long distance between them 
and driving Buford clear out of South Car- 


A MAP IN THE SAND. 


65 


olina. Then when he did catch up with 
him, he and his men were keyed up with 
the strain of that long chase and its fatigue, 
saw their quarry before them, and what fol- 
lowed was rather natural — for Tarleton. 

You know he is a hot-tempered, hard- 
headed soldier, with no sentiment about him. 
The bigger his butcher’s bill the fewer men 
he will have to fight against next time ; so 
he delayed Buford with a parley till more of 
his own men had come up, and then just 
rode right over Buford’s men, killing one 
hundred and thirteen and taking the rest. 
The whole affair was very like him — his 
men strung along the rear for miles, and 
a charge with the vanguard. That ’s ex- 
actly what he did at the Tyger, you know. 
Only, in one place he met Buford at Wax- 
haws and at the Tyger he met — Sumter. 
But he ’ll probably regard that as an acci- 
dent, and if we meet him a third time very 
likely he will do just the same again. If 
he does, I devoutly hope that the other 
man will be either Sumter or Marion,” 
— and Stuart’s eyes lit with a strange 
sparkle. 


5 


66 


mokgan’s men. 


What sort of a man is Marion ? ’’ asked 
Major Burnet, inquisitively. 

I \e never met him, sir,’’ replied 
Stuart. One of Tarleton’s sergeants, how- 
ever, whom we caught, by the way, at the 
Tyger, told me that he and his men had 
more ways of making themselves invisible 
than a swarm of mosquitoes. One time, 
just before Major Wemyss tried to raid 
Sumter by night, Tarleton’s men chased 
Marion for over seven hours, and then did 
not catch up with him. In a day or two 
he was warming up the British convoys as 
cheerfully as ever. I have an idea, how- 
ever, that his men are great ruffians. They 
can ride, they can shoot, they can disap- 
pear when a large force is out against them, 
and reappear when there is a convoy and 
plunder to be had. But man for man in 
equal force, in open ground, I doubt if they 
would be a match for Tarleton.” 

Was that Tarleton’s sergeant’s opinion 
or your own ? ” asked the major a little 
sarcastically. 

Mine, sir,” 

Ah ! Well, perhaps you will favor us 


A MAP IN THE SAND. 67 

with grounds for your rather remarkable 
statement.” 

Easily, sir. The difference between 
men in their own country, kept together 
only by the cohesive power of plunder and 
free riding, and men in a strange country, 
drilled to iron discipline with their lives 
dependent on it.” 

It seems a little odd. Captain, that 
you should know more about Tarleton than 
you do about Marion and yet have been 
fighting here in the South. I had thought 
the major’s men were rather loose fish.” 

He is a colonel now — I should say a 
lef tenant-colonel, I believe. As to the dis- 
cipline, one time up North when the lef- 
tenant and I were on a scout and were in 
disguise, we heard him tell a lot of his men 
that if they did not go on quietly they 
would get nine dozen, every one; and 
although they were half drunk and wholly 
quarrelsome, it sobered them like a bucket 
of cold water. Men don’t get sober at a 
threat unless they have reason to believe 
in it.” 

‘^Apology accepted. Captain, for know- 


68 


mokgan’s men. 


ing more about Tarleton than I do/’ 
laughed the major. If you have been thus 
near him you certainly have had advantages 
over the rest of us. But — to come back 
to the South — do you know the country 
round here well ? ’ ’ 

No, sir, not round Charlotte. East of it, 
to the Pedee, and thence south, or west of 
it to the Wateree, and south along that, I 
know it fairly well ; partly direct, partly 
by hearsay. They both strike the seaboard 
at about the same place — Georgetown. I 
have never been there.” 

Hum 1 ” and the major meditated, while 
Stuart, like an old campaigner, concluded 
that even in North Carolina a winter eve- 
ning might be improved as a comfort-pro- 
ducer, and proceeded to improve upon it by 
scraping up a few dry leaves and grasses, 
withered twigs and the like, apparently 
from nowhere, and concocting therefrom 
quite a respectable blaze, around which the 
others automatically drew closer, at first to 
light their pipes and then for its genial 
warmth. The lieutenant dropped into con- 
versation with one of the junior officers in 


A MAP IN THE SAND. 


69 


regard to some of their recent experiences 
and that talk became general. 

^^Has anybody got a map of the coun- 
try ? ” asked the major, awaking from a 
brown study. Nobody responded. 

How far do you want it to go, sir ? ” 
asked Stuart, interestedly. 

‘^Oh, covering the ground south of us, 
say.'' 

‘^Well, it runs something like this’' — 
picking up a stick. Call this stone Char- 
lotte. Here are three rivers all for a space 
running parallel, and a little east of south : 
the Pedee, east of us, straight to the coast; 
the Catawba, west of us, straight to the 
South Carolina line, where it joins or be- 
comes the Wateree, and thence to the coast; 
then the Congaree, west of all, — but that 
runs into the Wateree about half-way between 
Camden and Monk’s Corner. Then o:ff here 
by your leg, say southeast of the Congaree, 
is Ninety-Six, just where it can dominate a 
nest of roads to North Carolina, the moun- 
tain region thereabouts, and Camden off this 
way. 

Then here are the fords, — at least, some 


70 


Morgan’s men. 


of them. I ’ll mark such as I know 
by crosses/’ — illustrating — and these 
crooked lines are some of the roads. I 
can’t give all on this map ; they make in 
some quarters a regular network. It would 
take a better head than I have to remem- 
ber them all.” 

‘^How on earth do you remember so 
much ? and how much of it are you sure 
of?” 

I am sure of about all of it,” was the 
confident answer, — ‘Hhe essentials, that is.” 

Well, how did you learn it ? ” 

Oh, in several ways. I saw a map of 
it once. It formerly belonged to Tarleton, 
I think. Colonel Sumter has it now. It 
had Ninety-Six o:ff here where Camden is, 
instead of where it belongs, but it did to 
start with. As for the rest, I am studying 
geography almost every day. Shall I show 
you how ? ” 

The major nodded, too much interested 
to speak, while the others had allowed their 
pipes to go out. This matter of fords and 
rivers some time might be a matter of life 
and death, as they well knew. 


A MAP IN THE SAND. 


71 


Stuart put two fingers in his mouth in a 
fashion well known to boys, and whistled 
shrilly, twice. Instantly there was a stir 
in the men's quarters, and one of them 
came running toward the officers' fire. 

Brown, is that messenger from Sumter’s 
camp here yet — Gavin Paynt, the man 
who came to bring my second mount ? " 

Yes, sir." 

Send him over here at once." And 
presently the swampman appeared, wiping 
his mouth respectfully from nicotine juice 
as he approached the honourable presence of 
his superiors. 

Gavin, here is a map scratched in the 
earth as far as I can recollect it south of 
us. Here, you see, are the Pedee, Wateree, 
and the Congaree rivers. These marks are 
fords ; these lines are roads, — the main 
ones, of course. Now just run your eye 
over it and point out where it is wrong." 

This here, you say, is ther Congaree ? " 

Yes." 

Well, yer wrong thar. Up thar we call 
hit ther Broad. I b’lieve hit 's ther same 
river tho'. An' this here ain’t no ford; 


72 


MORGANS MEN. 


hit ’s a ferry. I reckon the rest on ’t ’s 
right, leastwise, down so far. I never 
went below Cheraw, here, myself, ’cept once, 
when I both went and got back too quick 
ter take notice ” — and the man grinned a 
little as he thought of the raid which he 
had shared in a few months ago. 

Thank you. That dl do, Gavin ; you 
may go.” 

The man lingered a little, however. 

’Sense me, gentlemen, but mought I 
study hit a leetle ’fore I go ? I ’d like ter 
know hit myself more’n I do.” 

Oh, yes, look away, while the gentle- 
men relight their pipes,” said Stuart, pleas- 
antly, at which the others laughed and 
took the hint to replenish the fire and their 
own private fires. 

Got your lesson, Gavin ? ” asked Stuart, 
finally. 

Thank ye, Cap’n, ’er reckon I kin go 
clar ter Charleston from what I ’ve larnt. 
Good-by, sir,” — and with what was clearly 
meant to be an unusually respectful mili- 
tary salute the man backed away to go. 

Stuart punctiliously returned the salute 


A MAP IN THE SAND. 


73 


without a smile, although the others found 
it hard to conceal their mirth at the grati- 
fied air with which the native departed, 
evidently highly satisfied with himself. 

Now, gentlemen, to return to our busi- 
ness. Gavin Paynt says this is called by 
him and his friends the 'Broad River, up 
here. It will be well for us all to remember 
that. He says this is a ferry, not a ford. 
Next time I draw that map I shall remem- 
ber to so mark it. Meanwhile, probably 
he now could draw it for himself, or for 
Sumter.’’ 

give it up. Captain,” laughed the 
major. ^^You are too many for us. Our 
training hasn’t been exactly in this direc- 
tion, highly valuable though it is. I wish 
it had been. But now that we have our 
map, what do you say, gentlemen, to plan- 
ning out a campaign on it? Have we 
time ? ” 

^^If you don’t mind. Major,” suddenly 
spoke up a new voice from the rear, 
would like to have Captain Schuyler’s ideas 
on that subject first, to save time, as he is 
so familiar with the ground.” 


74 


mokgan's men. 


It was General Morgan who had ap- 
proached in his usual velvety tread habitual 
to a hunter, and was scanning closely, with 
keen, military sight, that sketch-map of the 
country between Charlotte and Charleston. 
And the fords indicated were thicker near 
Charleston than they were near Charlotte 
— from which he drew some conclusions. 


CHAPTER VI. 


HOW THE CAPTAIN PLANNED A GREAT 
CAMPAIGN. 



O be asked to plan a campaign as one 


A would put a problem on a black- 
board at school and prove its correctness 
— how would you like it ? If you were 
surrounded by a smiling lot of men, the 
youngest of whom was years your senior, 
how would you like that? If they had 
been in constant contact for many months 
with men, their seniors, whose business it 
was to plan out and solve just such prob- 
lems, while you had been in a junior class, 
yourself, how would the idea strike you ? 

Or, to take another point of view ; you 
live of course in some city or town. Off 
somewhere in the next State is an army, 
and you have a smaller army. You know 
in a general way, of course, the lay of the 
ground between, the mountains, the rivers. 


76 


Morgan’s men. 


and — if you ride a bicycle — the roads. 
How would you solve that problem for 
yourself ? 

Stuart coloured up like a girl beneath his 
tan. Some heroes, in books at least, are 
never troubled by any such little questions, 
but stand ready at sight to give the advice 
of a sage to generals and kings who have 
spent their lives in just such work as solv- 
ing army riddles, and are still alive to 
ask the hero’s advice. But Stuart was not 
that kind of a genius. Their work never 
had any mistakes in it. His had a few, 
although never the same error twice. 

Around the night-fires he and his friends 
often had taken existing affairs and planned 
things out in advance, as soldiers will; 
and it had been intensely interesting to him 
in subsequent days to think over those 
schemes, and watch how closely results 
followed as predicted by such amateur 
councils of war. Sometimes they went far 
astray, occasionally because of unknown 
factors, but now and then from sheer un- 
skilful plotting; and it was good practice 
to go over such work again, in mind, and 


THE CAPTAIN PLANNED A CAMPAIGN. 77 

remember the errors as errors. But never 
until now had he been asked to suggest 
publicly the plan of such a campaign. 

Complimentary although it might seem 
to the others, he had a feeling that General 
Morgan was not wholly in earnest in his 
question. Or, to put it a little more cor- 
rectly, his earnestness was not so much 
directed toward getting a working answer 
to the problem as to solve for himself some 
other problem of his own, which had more 
to do with Stuart himself than with Messrs. 
Cornwallis, Tarleton & Co., a firm then in 
active business, nevertheless, and largely in 
the travelling line. 

^^Beally, General,’’ he replied to Mor- 
gan's question, I would very much prefer 
to let my task end with drawing the map, 
and thus preparing the way for more expe- 
rienced minds than mine. I have had no 
practice in major tactics beyond the ordi- 
nary chat of troops around the fire.” 

‘^That may be. Captain; nevertheless, 
it is clear that you know the country by 
heart, as the others do not, and we get 
their opinions every day, and yours never. 


78 


Morgan’s men. 


There is a time for everything in this 
world, and now seems to be the time for 
us to hear from you. Gentlemen, prepare 
to listen, accordingly.” 

The worried, haggard men around the 
fire shook ofi their air of constant anxiety 
for a moment and laughed in a subdued 
ripple of amusement, one and all deeming 
it to be another of the general’s practical 
jokes, in the playing of which he was fa- 
mous ; and while his victims had squirmed 
their squirms in the past, they were none 
the less ready to enjoy the squirming of 
comrades in the same good cause of light- 
ening the burden of life in the army when 
their time had come for the sacrifice. So 
they poked fresh coals into the bowls of 
their pipes and sought restful attitudes, 
their focussed eyes gimleting in to Stuart’s 
very soul. The major even picked up his 
cane and punched attention ” into the 
ribs of an inconsiderate junior who seemed 
inclined to levity over some outside subject 
instead of helping to vivisect Stuart. 

The young captain of cavalry sat for a 
moment, silently poking small holes in the 


THE CAPTAIN PLANNED A CAMPAIGN. 79 

turf and burying little stones in them with 
great care. Then he looked up quietly and 
met the general’s gaze with a smile. 

« Yery well, sir; your wish of course is 
an order, and I will do my best, as a matter 
of simple duty. 

To begin with, however, will some one 
please tell me about Lord Rawdon — what 
manner of man is he ? ” 

Stuart paused and looked 'mildly around 
the circle, and the circle of his tormentors 
looked blankly back at him. Obviously 
Lord Rawdon was likely to be an impor- 
tant element in any campaign of the imme- 
diate future, and no plan thereof would be 
complete without him. Then the circle of 
inquisitors looked at each other with the 
same blank result. There was no comfort 
there. Finally, with one accord, they all 
swivelled their eyes round to command the 
general, who merely gave a low laugh and 
shook his head. Whereupon the major, 
who played chess in times of peace upon 
his plantation, remarked judicially, — 
General, check to your king in the 
first move.” 


80 


Morgan’s men. 


Well, gentlemen, we will proceed,” 
resumed Stuart, smiling to himself. The 
elements in the game are. Generals Greene 
and Morgan, whom we need not discuss ; 
Colonels Sumter and Marion, with small 
troops of hard-riding, hard-shooting, evan- 
escent men, with the colours to-day, at their 
homes to-morrow; and our forces here, 
which are now quite well drilled, partic- 
ularly the Maryland men.” 

A laugh ran round the circle at that, for 
Stuart’s own company, to which he had been 
temporarily assigned, came from Maryland. 
However, the statement was merely one of 
fact. 

Now we have on the other side. Lord 
Cornwallis, Leftenant-Colonels Webster and 
Tarleton, and Lord Rawdon. Rawdon we 
will have to lay one side as an unknown 
factor, and being such, we will give him all 
the attributes of Ulysses and Ajax, and 
Mars thrown in. Then we will at least be 
on the safe side. 

^‘Now, Mr. Webster is simply a well-read, 
pleasant, educated gentleman of military 
occupation. He can be depended on to 


THE CAPTAIN PLANNED A CAMPAIGN. 81 

obey orders, to go where he is sent, to fight 
well when he gets there, and probably to 
stop when he gets there.'’ 

One moment. Captain;" interposed 
General Morgan. “ I do not like to hear 
honourable leaders on the other side spoken 
of with disrespect, any more than I would 
wish to hear our commander-in-chief ad- 
dressed or spoken of as ^ Mr. Washington.' 
Give them their titles, if you please." 

Certainly, General ; but permit me to 
explain myself. At some times in the past 
I have been thrown more or less into the 
company of men born beyond the water, 
and probably have caught unconsciously 
some trick of tongue following their 
customs ; one of those customs is that they 
are rather apt to sink the military and 
elevate the civilian. Thus General Corn- 
wallis becomes Lord Cornwallis ; General 
Rawdon is called Lord Rawdon, and Lef- 
tenant-Colonel Webster, who in civil life 
would be simply a gentleman, becomes in 
ordinary conversation ^Mr. Webster,' no 
disrespect whatever being intended." 

Indeed ! that is new to me. However, 
6 


82 


MORGAN’S MEN. 


as we have broken loose from theirs I 
think we will keep to our own customs in 
this as in some other matters. I like them 
better. Now let us go on with the cam- 
paign. Proceed ! ” 

If Stuart felt any temper at the correc- 
tion he gave no sign of it, hut resumed his 
summary of facts. 

Colonel Webster, then, we will lay one 
side, as understood. Colonel Tarleton we 
know to be a man at once hot-tempered 
and indiscreet, — too impatient to wait for 
reinforcements, but always ready to fight. 
He is like a bull in a field. Shake a red 
rag at him and he will charge without stop- 
ping to think that the ditch between you 
and him may be full of wasps’ nests.” 

Good ! ” remarked the major, soUo voce, 
and a smile went round the ring. 

That brings us to Lord Cornwallis. 
Now, I have always heard that he is a good 
general. We know that he has beaten 
General Gates ; and it is fair to him to say 
that he is not the man to overlook the dif- 
ference in the change of commanders with 
us. If I am not mistaken he has fought 


THE CAPTAIN PLANNED A CAMPAIGN. 83 

against both General Greene and General 
Morgan in the North, and so is likely to 
hold them in due respect and make his own 
plans conform, accordingly, to his estimate 
of them ; just as we base our plans on what 
we know of him, so it is likely that he will 
fight a cautious, well-guarded campaign, 
taking few risks, but striving to get to close 
quarters where his regulars will give him 
vantage over our militia. 

^^Now for the map. The earl, at last 
accounts, was down here at Wynnsborough, 
about half-way between Camden, where I 
think Lord Rawdon is, and Ninety-Six, 
where Colonel Tarleton is said to be ; the 
earl thus is within supporting distance of 
either, but if he is in any force, then 
neither of the others can be in great force. 

‘‘ Next, for the campaign. While our men 
are not as well drilled as the British, they 
can move across country faster, on the 
whole ; and it is easier for them to live on 
the country ; so I would break camp here, 
and send one half of our army down the 
Pedee as far as Cheraw, where it would 
threaten Camden seriously. The other half 


84 


Morgan’s men. 


should cross the Catawba and the Wateree 
off to the southeast, past King’s Mountain 
about as far, say, as that stone, where 
it would threaten Ninety-Six. Plenty of 
scouts should keep feeling the enemy at 
both places, and at Wynnsborough, and 
give us warning of any move. 

Now, either wing ought by itself to be 
strong enough to dispose of either Camden 
or Ninety-Six, and the earl is sure to know 
it ; so it will put him in a quandary. If he 
moves to aid one, we must instantly crush 
the other. What he is more likely to do, 
knowing our leaders as he does, is to divide 
his own forces into two armies ; and then 
we must simply trust to our own better 
knowledge of the land and swamps, and the 
skill of our leaders ; for while, for argu- 
ment’s sake, we might allow the earl to be 
the equal of General Greene, we cannot 
grant that either Colonels Tarleton or 
Webster are the equals of General Morgan. 

“Nevertheless, right there is the weak 
point of the whole plan ; for we know 
nothing at all about Lord Rawdon, who is 
sure to be in the affair somewhere. That 


THE CAPTAIN PLANNED A CAMPAIGN. 85 

we must risk, although the law of chances 
would be with us, I think, for we have both 
Sumter and Marion to count on, and Lord 
Rawdon is sure to have a very wholesome 
respect for both, which will serve to quiet 
him to some extent. 

Well, with the British in two armies 
well apart, instead of three in supporting 
distance, Sumter and Marion should strike 
for their rear, and their convoys. If the 
earl condenses his armies into one and darts 
at one of our wings it must retreat, keep- 
ing up a running fight, while the other 
wing strikes for his rear and his commis- 
sariat. The rest would be in the hands of 
God.’’ 

There was silence throughout the group. 
Pipes had fallen unnoticed, or were held 
unlighted between the owner’s teeth. 
Eagerly the silent men followed the line of 
the campaign step by step upon the map, 
grasping instantly its possibilities, while 
each man relapsed into the habit most 
customary. The major nursed his knee. 
One of the captains with curly hair was 
thrusting a straw through it, slowly nodding 


86 


mokgan’s men. 


his head against its point like a Chinese 
mandarin. Another had clasped his fingers 
in front of his stomach, and was revolving 
his thumbs around each other with a 
rapidity approaching the whir of a hum- 
ming bird’s wings. The general stood 
silent, abstracted. 

It was the major who broke the silence. 

Dividing the army in the face of the 
enemy violates one of the rules of war.” 

He spoke not criticisingly, but thought- 
fully, as one stating a proposition which 
should be considered. 

It is one of the rules of war never to 
leave a hostile fortress in your rear. Major, 
but the regarding of that stone house as a 
fortified place of strength cost us the battle 
of Germantown; for we tried to take it 
then and there instead of leaving a com- 
pany to watch it. Rules are good things in 
their places, but men and circumstances 
must sometimes modify them.” 

Can you tell us what the ‘ Cowpens ’ 
are. Captain ? They are down there some- 
where, too ? ” 

I do not know exactly, sir ; but I under- 


THE CAPTAIN PLANNED A CAMPAIGN. 87 

stand that a man named Hannah owns a 
large number of cattle which he pastures 
there, and has built a number of yards or 
pens to drive them into for branding, or 
perhaps for selection by drovers when they 
want to buy. It is a grazing country 
around there, across the Broad Biver.’’ 

What do you think of it. General ? 
asked the major, seeing that Morgan still 
stood gazing fixedly at the map. 

The general from the backwoods roused 
himself and looked first at his questioner 
and then at Stuart. Then he nodded three 
times, slowly. 

I think it might do. But if I go ofi on 
an independent campaign like that, I shall 
take Captain Schuyler with me. I think 
he will be useful in my business.” 


CHAPTER VII. 


LIEUT.-COL. BANASTKE TABLETON 
ENTERTAINS. 

RIDER halted his horse before the 



jr%L. broad portico of a typical Southern 
house of the better class, — the best one 
in the little village of Ninety-Six — and 
cheerily saluted the sole occupant of that 
comfortable resting-place. 

Really, Colonel, it does one good, a 
lazy one like your humble servant, to see 
you in a quiescent state for once. It is a 
safe sign that there is n't a pestilent rebel 
within striking distance, and about the only 
sure one I know." 

The addressed lifted his head from a 
brown study, and his feet from an undigni- 
fied elevation on the rail, at the interrup- 
tion, his face breaking into a smile. 

^^You are complimentary, my lord. As 
to the rebels, within a striking radius, as 


BANASTRE TARLETON ENTERTAINS. 89 

you say, I believe they are quiet. I hung 
the last one within the hour. If you are 
curious you will find him in yonder grove 
— what is left of him. I see the kites are 
already gathering.” 

The coloneFs visitor gave a low exclama- 
tion of disgust as he lightly dropped to 
earth from his saddle, and stood erect, a 
well-set up young fellow clad in the scarlet 
uniform of the British 63d. 

^^No, thanks! That sort of thing is 
deucedly disagreeable. I can’t see why 
you do it. Where is the good?” 

Yae victis, my lord. Simply war. 
One more hornet made stingless. Do it 
often enough and the war is ended. Tarle- 
ton’s Horse, I intend, shall be remembered 
by all who cross its path. It cultivates 
respect.” 

Solitudinem f admit pacem appellant,'' 
quoted Lord Egerton, sententiously, where- 
at the colonel laughed a short laugh of 
appreciation. 

It is true, my lord. I am making a 
solitude, and I do call it peace, and with 
good reason; for absolutely it is the only 


90 


MORGANS MEN. 


sort of peace to be had in this country 
worth having. As to any other kind, — 
your army sweeps across the country as the 
wind above the grasses, and the grasses 
bow before it, and arise when it has passed. 
But my troop across that country is like a 
fire on the savannah, and all that stands 
upright in its rear is charred and no longer 
to be feared.” 

Well, I will not say you are altogether 
wrong. Colonel, in your point of view ; but 
is it not likely to make a two-edged sword 
out of war ? The dice will fall deuces 
sometimes instead of sixes, you know,, and 
since the swampmen have taken up as their 
war-cry ^ Tarle ton’s quarters,’ — and I must 
confess it gave me an uncomfortable feel- 
ing when I heard the yell myself, — the 
original men of your command largely have 
had to be replaced by live ones. Major 
Ferguson was much inclined that way, too, 
I believe, when alive ; and when the rebels 
killed him at King’s Mountain and cap- 
tured his force, I am told that they hung 
about half his command on the spot.” 

The colonel laughed a little uneasily, and 


BANASTRE TARLETON ENTERTAINS. 91 

instinctively gave a quick glance down the 
road to where the green uniform of a 
vidette was visible in the distance. 

^^It was not quite so bad as that, my 
lord. For half the force, substitute ten or 
a dozen ; and for British regulars say thiev- 
ing loyalists — fellows born to be hung, any- 
how. They would not have dared to hang 
Ferguson himself, you may be sure.’’ 

^^That depends on circumstances. Mr. 
Washington made no trouble in hanging 
Clinton’s adjutant-general when he caught 
him.” 

^^Oh, well, that was difEerent. If Jack 
Andr6 had been on the other side, Clinton 
would have hung him too, without benefit 
of clergy, and he knew it; so he simply 
could not decently offer any real argument 
in protest. But — I take it you did not 
ride clear from Wynnsborough, my lord, 
just to discourse sweetly upon executions. 
Wait; my men captured some pretty fair 
rum the other day. Also a cart-load of wine 
from some rich planter. Pluto ! ” — rais- 
ing his voice — bring refreshments ! ” 

A negro of darkest hue promptly ap- 


92 


Morgan’s men. 


peared with a bottle and glasses. Tarleton 
proceeded to do the honours, but paused 
and sniffed suspiciously. 

Pluto, you rascal ! this is n’t the wine 
that I have been drinking ! Take it away 
and bring the right bottle.” 

The man gave a quick, scared look at the 
colonel as he replied : — 

Fo’ de lor’, massa, dar ain’t no other 
bottle ! dis yere am der last ob der ol’ stock.” 

‘‘Well, where’s the new — bring some 
of that.” 

“ Fo’ de lor’, massa, dar ain’t none ! It 
nebber got to camp, none but dat ar sample 
bottle dat the sergeant gib you.” 

“ What the — do you mean to say that 
my men drank it ? ” thundered the irate 
and short-tempered officer, now thoroughly 
aroused. “ If they did I ’ll hang" some of 
them as sure as my name is Banastre 
Tarleton.” 

“ Fo’ de lor’, massa, dey did n’t hab none 
ob it ; an’ six ob ’em nebber got to camp 
anyhow. Dey fell in wid Marion’s men,” 
and the negro stopped as though that 
explanation was all-sufficient. 


BANASTRE TARLETON ENTERTAINS. 93 


Lord Egerton lay back in his chair in a 
fit of laughter. 

Tarleton, on the contrary, leaped to his 
feet and paced the planks with short, quick 
steps, his brow as black as thunder. 

Colonel, I begin to believe that I ran 
more risks with my small escort than I had 
expected,’’ chuckled the visitor. Neither 
the solitude nor the peace appear to be 
wholly satisfactory. Alas for the convoy ! 
’Pon my word, I believe the news has made 
me thirstier than ever ! ” — and reaching for 
the bottle he helped himself, coughing vio- 
lently afterward, however, as a few drops of 
the fiery liquid went down the wrong way, 
and making a wry face over the raw flavour. 

I don’t see why my men did n’t report 
this to me ! ” muttered the colonel to him- 
self. I ’ll break that sergeant, as sure as 
he is born, for this.” 

^^Fo’ de lor’, massa,” ventured Pluto, his 
eyes rolling in concealed enjoyment, ^^de 
sergeant dat brought in de bottle was sent 
ofE to Wynnsborough right away, wid t’other 
bottle ; an’ the sergeant wid the cyart was 
one ob dose what stayed wiv it.” 


94 


MORGAN’S MEN. 


So he was ! so he was. I had forgotten. 
Here is a pretty fix, my lord ! That bottle 
tasted so well that I sent its mate on to 
Lord Cornwallis with my compliments and 
the promise of more of the same when the 
convoy was in camp. And now the convoy 
is, ^ non est' What is to be done ? ” 

Ilium full I ” quoted his guest, laugh- 
ingly. Unhappy man ! know you not 
that my Lord Cornwallis placed that bottle 
before a group of us, himself included, and 
that one part of its consequences was the 
immediate despatch of myself hither with 
orders to requisition a goodly share of the 
same for the use of the headquarters’ mess ? 
Now must I go back empty-handed and 
regretful ? 0 Marion ! Marion ! the mess 
will give you curses loud and deep when I 
return. And as for my Lord Cornwallis ! — 
It is well that you are so deep in his good 
graces. Colonel, or he would hardly forgive 
this.” 

^^This hide-and-go-seek sort of war is 
perfectly infernal,” said the colonel, moodily. 

We have traversed the country from here 
to Georgetown and found nothing but our 


BANASTRE TARLETON ENTERTAINS. 95 

own people, and the moment that our back 
is turned down comes Mr. Marion from 
seventy miles away, for aught I know, and 
plays the mischief with our communica- 
tions. Yet nobody can say that Tarleton's 
men are idle, or slack in well doing. They 
have burned more houses and hung more 
men than any other troop in his Majesty’s 
army.” 

That surely ought to entitle them to 
salvation,” laughed the other, spreading 
out a hand that once had been fair and fat, 
and now was bronzed and thin, and regard- 
ing it reflectively. 

Gad ! has it come to this ? the rings of 
fair Chloe of Clovelly would flt these fin- 
gers now. How the men of the club would 
stare to see them. And oh ! for the roast 
beef and good old ale of England. For 
this is the result of army rations in a 
land cursed by Marions — may their 
shadows grow steadily less ! ” he concluded 
fervently. 

It occurs to me however, that it was 
not wholly about a few bottles of wine that 
you took that long ride, my lord,” said 


96 


Morgan’s men. 


Taiieton, rousing up. ^^The 63d are not 
thus addicted to equitation.” 

Some of us are. I love a good horse 
with any man; but I love him best as a 
good hunter in a fair and open rolling 
country, with the hounds in full cry, and rey- 
nard not more than two fields ahead. If 
you find me then in the second flight and 
not the first, you will know that it will be 
because I will have been in the hands of 
the Jews and cannot afiord a better mount. 
By the way, you are not riding Tartar, 
now ? ” 

The colonel gave vent to a muffled ex- 
plosion of wrath, which his visitor contem- 
plated with amused malice. 

Curse it, ho ! you know I am not.” 

Do you know, I never heard the rights 
of that, how you came to lose him, save 
that he was run ofi by your ex-horse- 
boy, who seemingly has a nice taste for 
horseflesh.” 

He will have a nice taste for hemp, if 
ever I catch him ! ” retorted the other. 

“ But how was it ?” persisted Lord Eger- 
ton, tilting back in his chair. 


BANASTRE TARLETON ENTERTAINS. 97 

« Why, — he got away, that is all. I 
met him face to face and sent my men at 
him; but the fellow turned out to be a 
dead shot and dropped the men right and 
left with my own duelling pistols. I could 
not have done it neater myself, I will say 
that for him ; mounted on Tartar as he 
was, I could do nothing further to stop him, 
for he could go two feet to my one.’’ 

^^But men say that you came home on 
his horse Muskrat, which was notoriously 
the worst mount in the 63d.” 

Oh, as to that, the horse is not so bad,” 
rejoined the other with studied indiffer- 
ence. “ He might seem so to you duffers, 
but not to a real horseman.” 

Ha ! ha ! ha ! ” laughed the lieutenant. 

But really. Colonel, that won’t do, you 
know. I can ride a bit, myself. And I 
know a vile horse when I see one. And I 
can assure you I never in all my life saw 
one which was the equal of Muskrat in that 
respect ; so it is a great wonder to us what 
whim or vow set you on him.” 

Tarleton joined in the laugh, good-hu- 
mouredly. 


98 


Morgan’s men. 


Well, I must admit that his character 
is not altogether saintly. But just consider, 
man, what company he has been keeping ! 
— the 63d. The 63d mounted infantry! 
Good Heavens, is n’t that enough to demor- 
alize the morals of any virtuous horse in 
the country ? We must not be too hard on 
him, in consequence. Meanwhile, although 
I never expect to reform him, — his past 
education has sunk in too deep, — I will 
say that I found him tireless and fleet, and 
bound to be first in the race. I remem- 
bered that when we rescued your leftenant 
and his men from Mr. White up near 
Lenew’s Ferry, and we all had to ride for 
it afterward to get safely within the lines 
before it was too dark, young Jack Stuart 
on that horse was the only one of the lot 
who could keep up with me on Tartar; 
and, faith, he could no more be shaken ofl 
than a shaggy dog can shed a burr. So I 
concluded that a horse which could go like 
that was worth riding. But I have to look 
out for his heels.” 

^^Well, yes. Now I think of it, that 
same young Stuart was the only one in 


BANASTRE TARLETON ENTERTAINS. 99 

the regiment who could ride him. I never 
quite understood why you concluded that 
he could not ride. Some one evidently 
made a mistake about that.’’ 

It was my orderly sergeant’s fault — 
Wyeth. But he’s gone, too, now.” 

Ah ? What became of him ? ” 

The rebs got him, at the Blackstocks. 
But — you hinted that you had another 
message,” suggested the colonel, who had 
his own reasons for not caring to pursue 
that line of conversation further. 

Yes, I had ; but your exceedingly com- 
fortable attitude as I rode up made it quite 
unnecessary,” laughed the other. The 
earl has heard from Camden that the 
enemy are gathering there in considerable 
force ; just how much of a force he does 
not know, but it is said by loyalists to be 
under Mr. Greene, whom the earl seems to 
hold in considerable respect. That means, 
of course, that it must be quite a little 
army, such as it is. This Mr. Greene 
would hardly be in command of a mere 
squad, I suppose?” 

Hardly. I believe he is one of their 
LofC. 


100 


Morgan’s men. 


best leaders/’ replied the colonel, his eyes 
lighting with a battle light and his atten- 
tion alert. It is probable that he has dis- 
placed Mr. Gates, which means more work 
for us, after all. Well, I am glad of it.” 

But that is not all. Their scouts have 
been cautiously feeling us at Wynnsbor- 
ough, just keeping us in touch, you know, 
enough to keep aware of what we might 
be doing. What force may be back of 
them is not yet clear, for our own patrols 
learned nothing. We ought to have more 
of them with some enterprise; but that 
affair at the Blackstocks cost us many 
whom we now could use with profit,” the 
lieutenant went on placidly, disregarding 
Tarleton’s frowning face. The colonel did 
not like to hear of that affair. It left a 
bad taste in the mouth, so to speak. 

So the earl thought it well to find out 
if you also were being stirred up by them, 
or if the entire force of the enemy is con- 
centrated against Camden. In that case, 
of course, he can easily throw the main 
forces to the relief of Camden, and probably 
wholly outnumber the rebels.” 


BANASTRE TARLETON ENTERTAINS. 101 

No, I have seen nothing of them as yet, 
and you may tell the earl, with my respects, 
that yesterday our patrols were ten or fif- 
teen miles north of here and saw nothing 
to report. But of course that does not 
mean that some marauding band of Marion’s 
men may not be near us, perdu. Of Sum- 
ter I have heard nothing for many days.” 

Well, Colonel, I must start back with 
the news, I suppose, such as it is, and will 
try to be your good angel with the earl 
and the mess in regard to the lost wine; 
though, faith, you hardly deserve it ! ” 
Thanks,” replied the colonel, a little 
drily. You ought to be somewhat grate- 
ful for even one bottle. I might have kept 
that, you know. But will your escort stand 
that double ride without more rest ? ” 

The horses won’t, but the men will. 
They are seasoned fellows. I shall have to 
trouble you for the loan of some remounts 
for us.” 

The colonel looked a little blank at that. 
He hated to part with his horses. 

Lord Cornwallis’s orders. Colonel ; here 
they are in writing,” the lieutenant added. 


102 


mokgan’s men. 


smiling. He is in earnest to get the 
news by a reliable hand as soon as possible. 
He scents battle from afar.” 

^^Hum. Ah — well, I suppose you must 
have them. I can spare you Muskrat, 
since the errand is so pressing.” 

Good Lord, no ! ” cried Lord Egerton, 
hastily, in earnest and unaffected horror, so 
manifest that Tarleton laughed outright. 

^^Well, perhaps we can better that. I 
will see. Wait a moment ! Yonder patrol 
is coming in from the outposts with an air 
that betokens news of some sort. I see a 
scarlet coat among them also.” 

Yes, it is my sergeant, Wilde. I sent 
him over among the men to pick up infor- 
mation if he could,” rejoined his friend, 
losing his careless, indolent style and look- 
ing the soldier all over now that war 
matters were to the fore. 

The men came trotting swiftly up, wear- 
ing a harassed, excited air. One man led 
a riderless horse ; another had his arm in 
a sling; a third wore a hastily applied 
bandage around his head from beneath 
which red drops had fallen and splashed 







\x 






rgy^ 




\*T 


ijr-".- • r 




✓\< 










BANASTRE TARLETON ENTERTAINS. 103 

down his shoulder in a sticky track. The 
subaltern in command dismounted and 
saluted. 

^^We ran into a troop of rebels, sir, 
about three miles out on the northern road. 
There were only two or three of them to be 
seen at first, one of them on a black horse, 
and we chased them for a mile or more, 
when they separated and rode in different 
directions across the savanna. We halted 
to see what was to follow, and in a moment 
a lot of them rose right up out of the tall 
grass where they and their horses had been 
lying down and we had to ride for it, 
sharp. They chased us clear in to the town. 
Then they gave it up and rode back at full 
speed, — too fast to hope to catch them, so 
we did not rouse the men till we reported 
to the Colonel.” 

That officer gave a wrathful exclamation. 

^^You should have tried it, at least, as 
warning that the game is dangerous. I see 
some of you got hit.” 

“ Yes, sir. The fellow on the black rode 
off to one side, just as though he knew 
what was to follow, and when we retreated 


104 


Morgan’s men. 


we had to pass within four hundred yards 
of him. His very first shot lifted Black 
Jack Johnson out of his saddle and we had 
to leave him. Then the same fellow led in 
the chase, and rode like a fiend, loading his 
gun as he came; and every time he fired 
some one felt lead. I Ve seen some good 
shooting in my time, sir, but never any- 
thing in the least like that, — firing from 
the saddle, with the horses on the dead run. 
He did not drop any one else, as it hap- 
pened, but for all that he never wasted a 
shot, and we have five men in consequence 
that are booked for the hospital. The other 
rebels did not get near enough to ^o any 
damage, so the rest of us got clear. '^Ser- 
geant Wilde, here, of the 63d, who rode out 
with us, says he has seen that man before.” 

The colonel’s jaw had set and his eyes 
were glinting in the sun like sparks of 
flame. To be bearded like this in his own 
lair, his outposts driven in, and chased 
impudently to his very doors, — his, Tarle- 
ton’s ! His deep-toned voice sounded like 
muttered thunder as he wheeled upon the 
sober-faced man in scarlet. 


BANASTRE TARLETON ENTERTAINS. 105 

^^Well, sirrah! if you know the scoun- 
drel, who is he ? ” 

I won’t say I ’m sure about the man, 
Colonel, but as sure as that I am sitting on 
this nag, the black horse that he rode was 
Tartar 1 ” 

For a moment there was silence on that 
verandah, so deep that a cricket in the cor- 
ner became disgusted at the quiet and came 
out and chirped loudly in a brave attempt 
to change it. Then with an effort the 
colonel overcame his wrath, and turning to 
his guest said : — 

^^My lord, you will give my respects to 
Lord Cornwallis, and say to him that we also 
are being felt by the enemy, and apparently 
by some of that accursed Sumter’s men. 
You will say to him that while of course 
I await his orders, meanwhile I shall en- 
deavour to develop the enemy’s strength. — 
Pass the word there for my bugler, and 
bid him sound ^ boots and saddles ’ with- 
out delay. — My lord, horses are at your 
disposal, and I wish you a pleasant ride. I 
shall keep Muskrat myself. It is in my 
mind that I shall have a need of him.” 


106 


Morgan’s men. 


Before Lord Egerton was well on his way 
to the eastward he saw behind him the 
troop of Tarleton gathering like a storm- 
cloud in the narrow, silent streets of that 
village of history, Ninety-Six. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


A PART OF THE ENTERTAINMENT/’ AND 
WHAT CORNWALLIS THOUGHT. 



ORD EGERTON^S little escort of 


1 J troopers was very silent. To begin 
with, they had a long, hard ride ahead, 
and by no means a short one behind them, 
and they were tired. Then their leader 
was preoccupied and silent to a degree 
unusual, and men at such times take their 
cue from their commander. Then the news 
behind them was altogether disquieting, and 
not at all conducive to pleasure in riding 
the many miles between Tarleton’s men 
and the command of Lord Cornwallis. 

Even the veteran sergeant, Wilde, deemed 
it advisable, presently, to edge his steed a 
little nearer the lieutenant’s and venture 
the question, — 

It is hardly likely, sir, that we shall run 
across any more of those fellows, is it? 


108 


Morgan’s men. 


They must be on the full retreat by now. 
‘ Cut and come again ’ is their motto.” 

I was not thinking of that. Sergeant,” 
returned the lieutenant, kindly. He was 
a clean-built young fellow, now that ac- 
tive campaigning had caused him to shed 
some of the affectations of his class ; neat 
as a dandy still, clean-shaven, and gener- 
ally well groomed in that mysterious style 
which distinguishes to this day the British 
officer the world over ; and among them- 
selves the men of the rank and file spoke 
well of him and followed him readily ; no 
hero, to be elevated above others, but just 
cheerily, pleasantly doing his duty, be it 
rough or neat, and in all weathers, like 
thousands of his race. 

“ I suppose you made no mistake about 
that black, Wilde ? It was surely the 
colonel’s horse ? ” 

I could not be mistaken, sir ; there is 
not his like in the country.” 

I never was more surprised in my 
life than when I heard that young Stuart 
had deserted,” said the lieutenant, slowly, a 
pained look stealing across his fine features. 


WHAT CORNWALLIS THOUGHT. 109 

He seemed such a frank, honest lad, that 
I cannot reconcile it with his character. I 
suppose it was he who was on Tartar ? ” 

Yes, sir, I was sure of that, too ; but I 
was afraid the colonel would explode if I 
should mention that,’' — and he stole a 
look surreptitiously at his officer’s face, with 
a subdued chuckle which made the lieu- 
tenant smile outright and encouraged him 
to venture further. 

It was all a trap, sir, and well laid, too. 
I think young Stuart must have had a hand 
in it. For one thing, he seemed to be in 
command, for the company rose up out of 
the grass when he whistled, and not till 
then. The foremost went back, too, when 
he whistled. And more than all that, 
he must have known that if there was 
anything which would stir up Colonel 
Tarleton it would be the news that Tartar 
was just beyond his outposts ; and if the 
colonel had happened to get the news first 
instead of an outpost, nothing would have 
stopped him from rushing out ; and if he 
had — he now would be dead or captured. 
It was the craftiest baited trap that ever I 


no 


Morgan’s men. 


saw, sir, in all my soldiering. And that ’s 
why I ’m sure Stuart planned it.” 

I always had an idea, somehow, that 
he was born above his station. Sergeant. 
How did he strike you ? And that is why 
his desertion seems so utterly inexplicable.” 

“ Well, sir, now I think of it, there ’s 
something to be said for him. Old Wyeth, 
his sergeant under the colonel, more than 
hinted, once, that the lad was a somebody 
at home ; and it seemed he never regularly 
enlisted, but was pressed in New York by 
the colonel, who happened to want a stable- 
boy just then and picked him up for the duty 
without asking ^ by your leave.’ So I don’t 
believe that he ever took the oath at all. 
The colonel just turned him over to us, 
you know, sir, and we sorter took that for 
granted. So when he got ready to quit I 
really don’t see but what he had a right to, so 
far as any oath was concerned. Of course 
they are all rebels together, but some are 
worse than others, and he arn’t one of 
them.” 

Why, yes, now you speak of it I re- 
member it was so. The young fellow 


WHAT CORNWALLIS THOUGHT. Ill 

never took the oath at all; and he was 
wonderfully up in his drill for a mere 
recruit, I used to think. Sergeant, if we 
ever get to know the rights of it I ’ll lay 
you a guinea — to be paid out of our prize 
money — that the boy was at some time, 
at least, a private in some crack regiment 
of their army.” 

The sergeant grinned at his officer’s 
pleasantry. 

I don’t think either of us would have 
much capital of that sort to wager, sir, if 
the bet were made and ever came to settle- 
ment. The way it would be solved most 
likely would be by our being captured by 
him some time when on one of the earl’s 
errands. Well, there’s one comfort; if 
that should ever happen, I would feel my 
neck safer as his prisoner than if it were 
some one else, — Sumter, or Lee, or Marion, 
— and I make the wager, sir, if you like.” 

Here the sergeant rode for a rod or more 
with his chin on his shoulder, looking back 
sharply along the bridle-path which they 
were following — by brevet a road. 

The lieutenant looked thoughtfully ahead. 


112 


MORGAN S MEN. 


“ I am curious to see what the earl makes 
of our news, Sergeant, Somehow I have a 
feeling that he will regard it in a different 
light from the colonel’s point of view. 
I ’m afraid Tarleton had his mind too much 
absorbed in Tartar just then. What you 
tell me about young Stuart being in com- 
mand, and your reasons — good ones, too, 
— make me fear there is more to it than 
we first thought. There can be no doubt 
about it, can there ? Deserters are not usu- 
ally promoted to command in any army, 
you know.” 

Yes, sir, I ’m sure of it. The Lef tenant 
will remember that he ordered me to pick 
up among the men such camp-gossip of 
recent affairs as I could, so when that ser- 
geant invited me to take a ride out to look 
at the country I did n’t say no. But we 
did n’t see anything, and halted for a rest 
not out of sight of the houses; then in 
came a picket tearing along, and at their 
heels the rebels appeared, all of them splen- 
didly mounted. 

I says to myself, ^ Those men have 
looted some rich old planter, for they are 


WHAT CORNWALLIS THOUGHT. 113 


riding blooded stock ; ’ then the black 
caught my eye; then the broad, chunky 
cut of his rider. The Leftenant may not 
remember that young Stuart has a pair 
of arms and shoulders fit to level a 
giant with a ^ straight left ; ’ and at 
broadsword drill old Wyeth told me it took 
a more than good man to guard his head 
when a down cut was coming with Jack 
at the other end of it. More than one 
man, he said, sat down hard on the ship’s 
deck because of that. W ell, maybe there ’s 
two youngsters in the rebel army built 
like that ; but it is n’t likely. 

The sergeant, he sings out to the rest of 
us, ^ Huzza, boys ! here ’s more meat for the 
crows,’— and away we all went, helter-skel- 
ter. At first we seemed to gain on them, 
too, hand over fist ; but the rider on the black 
rode last, with his chin on his shoulder, 
and he never let us get within fair gun- 
shot, but all the time almost there ; till 
finally I told the sergeant — Bradley, his 
name is — that we might as well chase the 
Flying Dutchman, and that I, for one, 
did n’t care to ride further ; so we pulled up. 


114 


Morgan’s men. 


That is n’t exactly the way the sergeant 
told the story, but it is the truth of it. 
Then, as he said, the men all started off in 
different ways ; but the black cantered off 
to one side, and it struck me all at once 
that it was exactly as though they were get- 
ting ready for a charge of a battalion ; and 
all at once I saw something glisten in the 
sun on the shoulders of the black’s rider. 
I looked sharp, and blame me if the fellow 
wasn’t wearing on his buckskin hunting- 
shirt a pair of shining new podges.” 

^‘Really!” 

As true as that I ’m riding here, sir.” 

This is deucedly interesting. What 
came next ? ” 

Well, sir, the next was pretty much as 
Bradley told it. The officer just gave a 
whistle, one that purled and trilled right 
prettily if it had only been anywhere else, 
— I guess he had one of those turkey-bone 
whistles that the natives round here some- 
times make. The next minute there was a 
troop of horsemen enough to swallow us, and 
coming on the full run. Bradley gave one 
yell, — ^Ride for your lives!’ — and sent 


WHAT CORNWALLIS THOUGHT. 115 

the spurs in where they ’d do the most good. 
The officer, as the sergeant said, had ridden 
off to one side and backward, so that we 
had to pass him in the retreat.’’ 

Kather a scarey affair, ’pon my word. 
Sergeant,” — and the lieutenant nodded 
kindly to his tried subordinate. 

Well, sir, at first I didn’t mind it 
much. I had a good horse, and if any 
caught up with me I felt I was good for 
them too. But after that very first shot, 
then I own I began to feel horribly creepy. 
If the fellow could shoot like that, you 
know — ” 

I know,” responded Lord Egerton, 
sympathetically. Gad, I was in just such 
a fix once myself, and of course I had to 
ride in last of the troop, and I don’t mind 
telling you that I felt all the while as 
though a gimlet was just about to prod 
me^ in the back.” 

That ’s it, sir, exactly,” grinned the 
sergeant. I remembered that time, an’ 
felt sure you wouldn’t misunderstand me 
and think I was funking.” 

Not a bit of it ! but go on.” 


116 Morgan’s men. 

There isn’t much more, sir, different 
from what Bradley told, except that all at 
once I recognized who the fellow was, and 
I roared out J ack Stuart ! ’ in my surprise. 
The fellow must have ears like a wild 
thing, for he heard me ; and he straightened 
up a little in his saddle, and looked sharp- 
like, then he up and raised his hand in a 
sort of flourish to me. Then that con- 
founded gun of his went up again, and the 
next second, on the dead run though we 
were, one of Tarleton’s chaps got it plumb 
through the jaw. But after that, some- 
how, I did n’t feel afraid. My scarlet made 
so good a target that if he ’d meant it he 
would have taken me first. But for the rest 
of the race I felt that he was out after 
Colonel Tarleton’s new set of devils, and 
was n’t gunning for his old comrade in the 
63d.” 

As Lord Egerton surmised, the earl did 
differ from Tarleton in his summing up of 
the matter. 

So the rebels are in touch with him, 
too, you say ; and he thinks they are Sum- 
ter’s men. What do you think, my lord ? ” 


WHAT CORNWALLIS THOUGHT. 117 

he said to the lieutenant, as the latter, stiff 
and lame from his long ride, made his 
report. 

Colonel Tarle ton’s opinion, sir, is based 
on the fact that a man among the rebels, 
who was recognized by my sergeant as one 
who deserted to Sumter, carrying off the 
colonel’s horse with him, still rode the 
horse, which fact nearly upset the colonel’s 
equanimity,” — and the lieutenant smiled 
quietly to himself. The earl, on the con- 
trary, laughed outright. 

Are we never to hear the last of that ? 
I believe Tarleton remembers that as the 
bitterest thing he has against the enemy. 
But did you agree with his estimate ? ” 
^^Not wholly, sir. The deserter wore 
epaulettes and was in command. Colonel 
Tarleton brought him with him from the 
North. Such sudden promotion argues that 
he was among old friends ; that is to say, 
friends from the North. Now, Sumter and 
his men are all Southerners to a man, I 
have been told. Ergo, those are not 
Sumter’s men, but, rather, some that were 
under the command of Mr. Greene ; and the 


118 


Morgan’s men. 


deserter has evidently made his way to 
Greene’s command after his escape from 
our lines. So I argue that it is Greene 
and not Sumter who is threatening the 
colonel.” 

Very well reasoned out, my lord,” said 
the earl, kindly. You have studied war 
to some purpose. You are at least partly 
right. They are Greene’s men. But loyal- 
ist information has come in that indicates 
that Mr. Greene himself is at Cheraw. 
This puts us in a quandary,” he added, as 
to himself, as he thoughtfully paced the 
verandah of his headquarters. 

There are no troops in front of us, 
after all. Our scouts were misled by raiders. 
But it now appears that they are in force 
opposite both Camden and Ninety-Six. 
Mr. Greene himself is against Camden ; and 
skilful fighter as he is, no doubt he has 
placed his best man against Tarleton, and 
that, beyond a doubt, will prove to be 
Morgan. I remember both of them in the 
North, and they are not men to be treated 
lightly. 

This move changes completely our plan 


WHAT CORNWALLIS THOUGHT. 119 

of campaign. Either we must concentrate 
or we must reinforce Tarleton. Morgan 
presently will be gathering in little parties 
of mountaineers until his force -will grow 
like a snowball large enough to overwhelm 
the colonel; and Greene will make trouble 
for us if we lessen our strength here by de- 
tachments. Stay ! we are forgetting Leslie ! 
Never was reinforcement more opportune. 
His fifteen hundred men, freshly landed at 
Charleston, should be near us by now. 
They will enable us to match the enemy by 
division with more safety, although always 
dangerous, and doubly dangerous in the 
face of Greene and Morgan. Lord Egerton 
— or — no ! you are weary. Mr. Bryant, 
kindly give my compliments to the adjutant- 
general and direct him to issue instant 
orders to Leftenant-Colonel Tarleton for an 
advance ; send couriers in haste to Leslie to 
hurry him forward between ourselves and 
Tarleton ; and warn our own troops to be 
ready to march North to-morrow at day- 
break, in a line parallel with the other two. 
Perhaps we can checkmate Mr. Greene at 
his own game.” 


120 


moegan’s men. 


And so the wary general planned a dis- 
position of his forces which was calculated 
to leave a mark northwesterly across the 
country like the trail of a giant, three- 
toothed harrow, leaving a harried coun- 
try in its wake. And presently the still 
Southern air was filled with the low hum 
of voices, the clash of steel, the creaking of 
baggage carts, and the heavy rumble of 
artillery as the soldiers of the earl made 
haste in their preparations to advance to 
the aid of his lieutenants, in whose fronts 
the war-clouds were gathering; for Lord 
Cornwallis knew, too, as well as any man, 
that an able offence was often the best 
defence. 

But would Banastre Tarleton, lieutenant- 
colonel, wait for the slow coming of orders 
and slower supporting columns of reinforce- 
ments when such a lure as a certain black 
steed with flaunting mane and flowing tail 
was said to be disappearing and re-appear- 
ing like a will-o’-the-wisp beyond his out- 
posts at Ninety-Six ? 


CHAPTER IX. 


GENEKAL NATHANAEL GKEENE ENTERTAINS. 

T here was a hum and bustle in the 
army at Charlotte. On the morrow 
it was to begin once more active service, and 
faces of men and officers were hopeful of 
good fortune, for they had been drilled to 
a discipline not known by them before. 

^^So, my little planner of campaigns, I 
hear that your scheme is to be carried out, 
and Lord have mercy on the hindmost,’’ 
remarked the major pleasantly to Stuart as 
they walked together toward headquarters 
after drill. 

Stuart felt oddly embarrassed, and looked 
from side to side in a funny way, as though 
seeking an avenue of escape ; but with the 
major on one side, and a ponderous artil- 
lery man on the other flank, and a group 
of light infantry officers closely in the 


122 Morgan’s men. 

rear, flight seemed out of the question just 
then. 

^^All I can say, Major, is that if so it 
• will depend on the rest of you to carry it 
to a success. And even then 

Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself 
as he that putteth it off. ” 

^^Why, Captain, one would think you 
lacked faith in your own prophecy. Cheer 
up, man. You must not judge us by what 
we did under Gates. We can fight when 
we are rightly led ; and Leftenant Ludlow 
is responsible for the statement that you 
can do a little fighting, too, in proper time 
and season.” 

^^Oh, Tom! Well, sir, you must make 
allowances there, you know, for the partial- 
ity of one old comrade for another. I may 
have been somewhat the luckier in promo- 
tions, but for most of the last three years 
we fought shoulder to shoulder, sleeping 
under the same blanket ; so when next he 
starts a story about my adventures, as I hear 
he has a vile habit of doing, just ask him, 
on his honour, where he was at that particu- 
lar minute and what he was doing.” And 


GENERAL GREENE ENTERTAINS. 123 


now it was the lieutenant’s turn to grow red 
about the ears, while the current of badi- 
nage turned promptly in his direction. 

’T aint so ! It is not so ! ” he floun- 
dered, mixing up the vernacular and the 
official styles of speech in a way delightful 
to his tormentors. And then they pro- 
ceeded to draw him out by a virulent cross 
examination, under which he sweated for 
minutes that seemed hours, while Stuart 
plodded along, grinning unfeelingly. Tom’ s 
way of letting daylight in upon the young 
captain’s past was a constant trial to the 
latter, and he was not sorry to give him a 
little punishment; and in so doing he suc- 
cessfully shifted the conversation to sub- 
jects other than himself, for which he was 
most thankful. 

To tell the truth, for some days he had 
been not a little dismayed to note from vari- 
ous casual remarks and significant prepara- 
tions that the plan of campaign to which 
the major referred, and which he so off- 
handedly sketched in the sand the other 
night, was likely to be taken up seriously 
by his general; in which event some one. 


124 


Morgan’s men. 


of course, must have told him of his subor- 
dinate’s presumption. Or, what was more 
likely, the general’s keen, soldierly mind 
had of its own accord grasped the essential 
facts of the situation and had planned his 
future course accordingly. There was some 
comfort in that thought. So taking such 
solace from it as he could, he stepped on- 
ward more confidently. 

Is it known definitely. Major, where we 
are to go ? ” 

Not by me, — beyond the general 
orders to prepare to march. You are 
under bond to go with General Morgan, 
I believe.” 

He is not in camp, however.” 

No ; I think he has gone across the 
Broad on a preliminary expedition under 
Smallwood. He will reappear, I have no 
doubt, when wanted.” 

Stuart had no doubt on that point, either, 
although he would have preferred one of a 
large size ; for Morgan’s close scrutiny and 
questioning had made him decidedly uneasy. 
It seemed to portend an indefinable some- 
thing overhanging his sky like a cloud 


GENERAL GREENE ENTERTAINS. 125 

which now and then allowed a star to 
gleam from beyond it. 

The major halted so suddenly that the 
group behind bumped into him. 

“ Who are those fellows ? What splendid 
horses ! ” 

It was, indeed, a troop magnificently 
mounted, which came riding two by two 
from the south into camp, about a hundred 
in number. Their trappings were dingy 
with age and service; but their horses 
shone as though clad in satin, and stepped 
gingerly along with the light, deerlike 
tread of thoroughbreds. 

Some of Smallwood’s men. Major,” 
answered an officer better informed than 
the rest. 

That handsome six-footer in the van is 
Billy Washington.” 

A laugh ran around the group at this 
irreverent reference to the broad-shouldered 
lieutenant-colonel. 

If General Morgan were here, my friend, 
he would read you a lecture on the proper 
usage of military titles ; but we will forgive 
you if you can tell us where he has been.” 


126 


Morgan’s men. 


Then I must go unforgiven, I fear, 
Major. I can tell you where he was sent, 
but as to saying where he has been, — om- 
niscience only can tell that. He was 
ordered across the Broad, to look after the 
tories generally, and pick up news in par- 
ticular. But if any of his news told of a 
tory gathering in convenient distance it is 
more than likely that he broke up the con- 
vention. It is a way he has.” 

The tall Virginian rode up to them gaily 
in the midst of the laughter and was cor- 
dially greeted. 

What news. Colonel ? ” 

None. The country is clear enough for 
a fox-hunt. I must report to the general, 
and then I am with you. Where shall I 
find him?” 

Come along with us. Colonel. You are 
just in time for a general rendezvous, a 
final banquet, so to speak, to which the 
chief has invited us before marching, — 
would there were more like him ! ” the 
major wound up feelingly, for General 
Greene had indeed been in the habit of 
inviting his officers to his table, and then 


GENERAL GREENE ENTERTAINS. 127 

and there smoothing away little differences 
and jealousies between them, to the great 
benefit of the service. 

The colonel, nothing loath, ran his fingers 
merrily through his thick hair and joined 
the procession, an orderly taking charge of 
his horse. 

Where did you leave General Morgan, 
Colonel?” 

Just behind ; his infantry are escorting 
Colonel Rudgley and a hundred tories as 
permanent guests,” smiled the other. 

Why, I thought you said there had 
been no fight ! ” 

There has not been,” — and the raider 
lay back his head and laughed and laughed, 
till the others began to laugh too, from 
sheer sympathy. 

The general gave me leave to make a 
wider circuit than his riflemen could take,” 
he said at length, recovering his voice, and 
wiping away a tear. 

The very next day we came on those 
fellows quite unexpectedly to both parties. 
They rushed for a house which was too well 
placed to be run over, and I had no mind to 


128 


Morgan’s men. 


lose half my boys in a charge against con- 
cealed musketry. So we galloped up to just 
beyond range, deployed into an imposing 
line, and halted ; the tories were clustering 
around the windows like bees in a swarm. 

rode out to the fore, took a good 
look or two, then sent a fellow to the rear 
in a hurry on some important business. 
Then in a minute, after another look, I 
despatched another after him, on still more 
important business. Then a dozen of my 
lads at the back slipped off quietly behind 
the trees. Then for a minute or two I rode 
along, looking at the house, and then back 
to the rear in an impatient way ; and when 
they were keyed up well to expect about 
anything short of the whole continental 
army, back came that dozen of our boys in 
a cloud of dust, with yells and cracking 
of whips in the air, dragging a set of 
heavy cartwheels with a log and a box 
mounted on them, taken from the next 
plantation. 

They came right up behind us at a gal- 
lop, horses plunging, drivers yelling, and 
executing into ^ action front ’ in a twinkling. 


GENERAL GREENE ENTERTAINS. 129 

they came into battery. We who masked 
them scattered right and left to draw up 
the curtain, and down jumped our old battery 
sergeant and trained that log most fatally 
where I pointed for him with my drawn 
sword. Half a dozen more jumped into 
some sort of battery-drill positions and 
stood waiting for the word, but I held up 
my hand for a halt, and with everything 
ready for battle sent a peremptory demand 
for a surrender. And will you believe it ? 
Those poor scared fellows surrendered to a 
man. Colonel Rudgley and all, without a 
shot. Oh, it was rich — rich ! to see that 
tory jump, after the surrender, when his 
march took him past that woodpile gun ! 
and the curses of his men flew like autumn 
leaves in a gale of wind,” — the colonel 
grew poetical in his merriment. We had 
nothing but cavalry with us.” 

Well, you have the thanks of the army. 
Colonel, for the best joke we have had since 
we came South,” was the rejoinder, as soon 
as the laughter of the crowd permitted any- 
thing else to be heard. But men who 
ride such steeds as yours must from very 


130 


Morgan’s men. 


shame do more than other men, to live np 
to their example.” 

Where on earth did you get such 
splendid stock ? ” asked Major Burnet, 
enviously. 

Oh, here and there one,” replied the 
raider, carelessly. ^^We need good horses 
for our work. Most of them came from 
Virginia.” 

Ah, you are fortunate, — Virginians 
generally are in that line, I believe,” was 
the laughing response. There are only 
two horses in the army worthy of associa- 
ting with them.” 

Indeed ! so many ? Where are they ? ” 
returned the colonel, quickly. 

Stop ! stop ! we cannot have you an- 
nexing those ! ” and the major laughed 
outright. ^^They both belong to the cap- 
tain, here — excuse me ; allow me to pre- 
sent to you Captain Stuart Schuyler, of the 
cavalry, unattached, now serving with us.” 

Stuart bowed, but remained silent. 

Schuyler ? Schuyler ? I think I know 
the name.” 

Probably the Colonel is thinking of 


GENERAL GREENE ENTERTAINS. 131 

General Schuyler,” said Stuart, swiftly. 
^^The name is all we have in common, I 
believe, except our patriotism.” 

^^Ah! Well, Captain, that is quite 
enough to commend you to me,” — and the 
officer genially held out his hand. 

Especially if he owns a couple of blooded 
horses,” added the major , soUo wee; but the 
colonel’s keen ears heard him. 

Don’t take away my character before 
these young men. Major, or they will not 
serve under me ; and I want a few more of 
them before I ride again. I am a little 
short of officers.” 

There was a simultaneous movement 
among the younger officers almost to a 
man. To ride with Lieutenant-Colonel 
Washington meant adventures indeed, and 
that gentleman smiled, well pleased. 

^^We will talk of this later on. I can 
take but one or two, at most, you know; 
and meanwhile here we are at headquarters. 
I must talk it over with the general.” 

That was a banquet long to be remem- 
bered by those who shared its pleasures. 


132 


Morgan’s men. 


Not from the abundance of the good things 
of life, although they were not lacking, for 
by this time the country round about was 
agreed that in General Greene at last they 
had a general who was that long looked for 
being, — a Man, with a big M,” — and sup- 
plies were forthcoming accordingly. But 
from sheer good fellowship of soul, of men 
who were fighting right royally together in 
one common cause, for one of the greatest 
causes on earth, — freedom, and their coun- 
try. And however they might differ in 
mind and soul they all had that one com- 
mon denominator to unite them into a 
solid, a safe field on which all could meet. 
So, here a Northern farmer and a Virgin- 
ian planter held earnest converse with a 
Carolinian dealer in tar, and even like the 
members of the two churches that came 
down to cross the river, beyond it nobody 
asked by what route they came. Their 
errand covered all. 

The floors of the spacious house which 
served as headquarters rang with the tread 
of many a manly foot, and the jingle of 
spurs and clink of a sword ring were more 


GENERAL GREENE ENTERTAINS. 133 

frequent than the tinkle of glasses, although 
they too, after the manner of that time, 
were not infrequent. The handsome uni- 
forms of the general’s staff, in their buff 
and blue, neatly brushed by willing coloured 
servants; the boyish, smooth-shaven faces 
of their wearers gave it the look of 
far more peaceful times than a farewell 
dinner the night before a campaign from 
which some at least surely would not 
return. 

The general received his guests in person, 
like the courtly gentleman that he was, say- 
ing an appropriate kindly word to each; 
and keeping Colonel Washington by his side, 
he introduced to him such of the officers as 
had joined since last they met. Among 
others, indeed the last, was Stuart. 

Still wearing his now well-fitting but 
backwoodsy uniform of hunting-shirt and 
riding breeches, he had kept in the back- 
ground, feeling somewhat ill at ease, yet 
conspicuous among them all by reason of 
his dress, so well adapted to the grim work 
of war; and him the general beckoned to 
come forward, in due time. A shadow 


134 


mokgan’s men. 


crossed his face as he did so, and Stuart 
intuitively knew the reason. 

^^This is Captain Schuyler, Leftenant- 
Colonel Washington,” said the general, for 
him a little coolly. I can commend him 
to you as an excellent drill-master, should 
you require one at any time.” 

The colonel cordially reached out his hand. 
I am told he has another excellence, of 
special importance in my eyes. General, to 
wit, a pair of splendid horses. May I ask. 
Captain, to what regiment you belong ? I 
cannot tell from your uniform.” 

The young fellow looked up frankly into 
the face of the towering Virginian above 
him, and replied: — 

I do not wonder at that. Colonel ; for, 
in the first place, although in the cavalry, 
my commission was sent me by General 
Washington from a distance, with simple 
orders to report to General Greene for duty. 
While as to the uniform — it is now about 
two years since I last met that being of 
myth and story, the paymaster, and there- 
fore I neither have the uniform nor the 
wherewithal to get one.” 


GENERAL GREENE ENTERTAINS. 135 

Good Heavens, Captain ! ’’ broke in the 
general, his face aflame with colour, that 
was very thoughtless of me, indeed, and I 
sincerely apologize! I must confess that 
till now I never gave the matter a thought, 
your attire being so perfectly serviceable, 
and your shoulder insignia being sufficient 
to indicate your rank. It is a pity that it 
is too late now to get supplies of that char- 
acter. But as soon as circumstances admit 
I promise that you shall be supplied with 
what is due to your rank.’’ 

Never mind. General,” laughed the 
colonel. There are no ladies here ; and I 
imagine the men will obey the wearer of 
that uniform as sharply as some others. 
Give him to me. I meant to ask you for 
another captain as I am short of one. I 
fancy that Schuyler will just suit me.” 

Well — I half promised him to Morgan ; 
but it will be all the same, as you will 
be under Morgan; yes, you may have 
him.” 

Thank you, sir ; — and, Captain, while 
there is daylight to see by let’s slip out for 
a few moments with the general’s permis- 


136 


Morgan’s men. 


sion, and have a look at those wonderful 
horses of yours.” 

Have a care, Colonel, or I shall begin 
to think that it was the horses and not the 
captain you were so solicitous about,” 
smiled their superior officer. But off with 
you, both, for the light is going. That 
door is the shorter way.” 

It was not far to the stables of the offi- 
cers, and they soon found Tartar and his 
equine companion complacently whisking 
their tails and indulging in some unaccus- 
tomed luxuries in the forage line, served out 
to them as the last they were likely to get 
for some time to come. 

The colonel uttered an exclamation at 
the sight. 

Oh, you beauty ! ” 

Tartar stopped work, and reaching round, 
rubbed his nose a moment against his mas- 
ter’s sleeve, and Stuart, as he had done 
many a time before, affectionately put his 
arm across the arched neck and led the 
black out to view. 

The colonel gave another, a startled, 
exclamation, and sprang backward. 


GENERAL GREENE ENTERTAINS. 137 

‘‘ As the Lord lives, I Ve seen that horse 
before, and you ! 

And Tartar, all unconscious of times and 
seasons in the lives of men, placidly resumed 
his forage. 


CHAPTER X. 


THE TOAST TO GENERAL WASHINGTON, 
AND A QUESTION OF LOYALTY. 

W HEN one is playing a game, it is 
more or less unpleasant to be 
found out. When the forfeit happens to 
be one’s liberty, or perhaps his life, it is 
exceedingly inconvenient to be found out. 
You may take this to be a fact, and any 
doubter is at liberty to experiment for 
himself. He will be fully satisfied of its 
correctness, and the world will have the 
satisfaction of saying I told you so ! ” 
Also the doubter, very possibly, will not 
have occasion to have many more doubts 
on any subject whatever, — a matter de- 
pending somewhat on the nature of his 
experiment.” 

When Colonel Washington made his em- 
phatic statement, for as many as two long 
seconds Stuart felt exactly as one may be 


TOAST TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 139 


supposed to feel when the ground slides 
away from beneath him and he is taking 
a drop of unknown fathoms deep. 

There is on record the tale of a man who 
fell into a pit, and all night long he clung to 
the edge of it till his hair turned white with 
terror ; and as the sun rose and shone in 
his eyes he lost his hold and fell — as he 
thought, for miles ! and wondered to find 
himself alive when he reached bottom. 
Stuart’s two seconds seemed to him as long 
as that man’s night. But the man’s drop 
into the unknown depth beneath him was 
just six inches ; and his drop might well be 
slightly more than that, through a platform • 
for men did some deeds swiftly in those 
days, and it was a far cry to the North and 
friendly witnesses. Then his sound com- 
mon sense reasserted itself, as he reflected 
that this was all folly ; he really had noth- 
ing to conceal, save a secret due to his 
natural reticence about his own affairs ; 
and with that thought he recovered him- 
self and was on instant guard again. 

As to the horse. Colonel, I really can- 
not say, for he has not been mine long. 


140 


Morgan’s men. 


He is the spoil of mine own spear, reft 
from the Egyptians that now dwell around 
Charleston. I hardly expected you to re- 
member me, either; but I often had the 
pleasure of seeing you while in the Jerseys, 
and once halted you while on picket. But 
I was a private, then.” 

What ! are you that boy ? Why, yes ! 

I remember your face. And you are the 
lad that won renown throughout the whole 
army by making General Lee dismount in 
the mud when he did not have the counter- i 
sign. Ha ! ha 1 ha ! No wonder your face i 
seemed familiar to me. You had strange j 
luck for one in outpost duty. Well, I con- j 
gratulate you on your promotion. I always j 
thought you deserved that just for halting j 
Lee. But I am truly sorry that you caught ] 
that horse ! I remember him now, too, and I 
had fully determined that sometime he 
should be mine own. Would you care to 
sell him?” 

It was a very broad hint ; what would n’t j! 
a Virginian do in those days — and some I 
later ones — for such a mount ! 

I am heartily sorry. Colonel, to say no ; ^ 


TOAST TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 141 

but if 1 am to ride with you I must have 
the wherewithal to keep up with you ; but 
I think you may count on my being right 
at your back when I am wanted there.” 

The colonel was not a particularly bril- 
liant nor even a wary man. To make a 
slashing charge regardless of all obstacles, 
to be here to-day and seventy miles o:ff to- 
morrow, and ready to fight at either place 
if he found the enemy, — that was Colonel 
Washington. 

But he did not possess the deep nature to 
plan, to see far in the future, to turn to in- 
stant advantage unforeseen occurrences, as 
had his great kinsman; and where the 
commander-in-chief, or even Morgan, would 
have detected that there yet remained a 
mystery, he quite readily accepted Stuart's 
statements and never referred to them again, 
from that point of view. But he heaved a 
sigh deep and long as he turned away from 
the stables, saying : — 

I suppose I must be content with that ; 
but it is a great temptation to covet one 's 
neighbour’s goods. Some men remember 
men, but I remember horses, — they are 


142 


Morgan’s men. 


honester, as a rule. And this one — oh, 
well, let us change the subject; and it is 
time we were getting back to the general.” 

The board had been cleared by the silent- 
footed servants; and the officers, with the 
reins of discipline relaxed, were merrily ex- 
changing small-talk and repartee, while a 
foot below the raftered ceiling circled blue 
strata of tobacco smoke, kept swirling there 
by the draft from the windows. It was 
fairly dense, and as the tall colonel and his 
new captain entered the room, Stuart 
coughed and sneezed, taken by surprise as 
the cloud enveloped his head; while his 
taller senior stalked unconcernedly along 
with his head in the pure air above him, 
but partly eclipsed from the view of his 
friends as they sat around the table. A 
burst of laughter greeted him. 

^^Why, Colonel, you look for all the 
world like Jupiter Tonans, serene above the 
gathering thunderstorms on the hills below,” 
cried the major, classically. 

Do I ? ” returned the colonel, with a 
puzzled air. Is Mr. Tonans a Virginian ? 


TOAST TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 143 

I don’t recall the name. Squire Eandolph 
owned a Jupiter, I believe. He was a very 
short boy, and very black. He bought him 
in South Carolina from a rice planter.” 

A smothered laugh, barely repressed, flut- 
tered around the table. Colonel W ashington 
evidently was not well read in the classics. 

^^No, it was another Jupiter I had in 
mind, who was said to be an excellent judge 
of wine and a very poor one of women. 
But he lived before our day. Never mind 
him ; here is something more to the present 
moment, — some excellent wine. Will you 
have a glass with me?” — and the major 
thus kindly covered the exposed flank of his 
colonel with a strong skirmish-line ; success- 
fully, too, as the general movement of those 
around him toward their refilled glasses 
testified. 

One moment, gentlemen,” exclaimed 
General Greene, pleasantly, • turning from 
an earnest conversation and becoming aware 
of a liquid crisis, one moment ; allow me 
to give you a toast — ^ Our country’s lib- 
erty, and its bravest defender, — General 
George Washington!”’ 


144 


moegan’s men. 


The officers sprang as one man to their 
feet, thrusting glasses hastily into the hands 
of the new-comers, and with faces already 
flushed they* drank the toast with enthu- 
siasm and hearty cheers, the colonel’s reso- 
nant voice ringing along the rafters in 
honour of his mighty kinsman. 

Captain Schuyler cheered with the rest, 
and touched his glass to his lips with the 
rest, in hearty sympathy with the sentiment ; 
but he lowered the wine, barely tasted, in- 
tending quietly to pour the contents of the 
glass upon the floor. The crush around him 
was so great, however, that this proved im- 
practicable, and he was forced to restore 
it, nearly full, to the table from whence 
it came, trusting that it would remain 
unnoticed. 

In this hope, however, he was disap- 
pointed, as a young subaltern beyond him, 
who already had taken more than was good 
for him, glanced along the board and cried. 
Beware, gentlemen ! there lies a full glass. 
Some one has not drunk the toast.” 

Instantly there was silence along the 
table. Not to respond to such a toast as 


TOAST TO GENEKAL WASHINGTON. 145 

that was then a grave matter, hinting at 
disloyalty, and frowns gathered on brows 
which a moment earlier had been benign, 
and lips that had smiled became grimly set. 

Captain Schuyler,” said General Greene, 
in a calm seriousness, I see that the glass 
in question stands before you. Was it 
yours ? ” 

The room suddenly became singularly 
still. 

Yes, General.” 

^^You did not drink the toast with us, 
then?” and calmly serious still was the 
general’s tone, as steadily he eyed his junior 
officer. 

Pardon me General, for the correction ; 
but I was with you heartily in spirit, if not 
in the spirits, and I touched the glass to 
my lips in honour of our revered chief. 
Beyond that I could not go, as I do not 
drink wine.” 

And in those days it took far more cour- 
age for a young man to say that than now. 
But perhaps young men were braver then 
than now. 

There was a flutter of incredulity. It 
10 


146 


Morgan’s men. 


was so unheard of ! and some of the more 
impetuous among them barely bethought in 
time the respect due to their general and 
their host, so eager were they to break in. 

I think we are entitled, Captain, to 
know your reasons, in view of all the cir- 
cumstances.” 

Well, sir,” — and Stuart coloured deeply, 
and hesitated, — I have always understood 
that liquor of any kind is fatal in the long 
run to steady nerves. Now, without boast- 
ing, I think I may say I am as good a shot 
as there is in the army, with rifle — or pis- 
tol,” he added signiflcantly, as a snort of 
disbelief broke from a half-bred youth in 
the corner, the same who had started the 
trouble. ^^And while the war lasts, at 
least, I hope to remain so.” 

Your reason is good as far as it goes. 
Captain,” the general replied, his brow 
clearing somewhat, yet not wholly ; yet 
I venture to state that there is something 
back of it which we have not , yet reached. 
Am I not right ? ” 

Yes, General,” and the flush deepened 
under the bronze. Then throwing back his 


TOAST TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 147 

head in what was perilously near to a de- 
fiant attitude Stuart exclaimed : If you 
must have it, General, far away in the 
North there lives a little girl who dreaded 
greatly the perils and temptations of the 
camp ; and I promised her that if I returned 
from the war at all to her, I should come as 
clean as I went.’’ 

The colour came into the faces round 
about him with a rush. What one of them 
had not left behind him some one who was 
waiting and praying for a safe return ? 
What one of them did not feel unwonted 
tears starting to their eyes, so suddenly were 
their guards taken all unawares ? Even 
the young snickerer in the corner was 
quelled by the silence that fell upon the 
company for long seconds, and stared fur- 
tively first at his general and then at the 
sturdy young captain. Then the major 
from his place down the table broke the 
silence by quoting in a half-whispered voice, 
as though his thoughts really were far away 
and he was speaking to others than those 
around him, — 

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.’’ 


148 


Morgan’s men. 


And then from his place spoke the general, 
the brave, war-worn leader of armies whose 
defeats were victories in their ultimate 
results : — 

Captain, I must ask your pardon for 
thus pressing the matter. I know not 
which to honour greater, the courage of 
my officer or the virtue of his lady. To 
both let this be the symbol.’’ 

And deliberately reaching out his hand, 
a grave, stately smile lighting his florid 
face, he lifted his glass from the table, and 
significantly replaced it on the board, in- 
verted. 

What kinder, more emphatic indorse- 
ment could be given, at such a time and 
place ? Then rising from his place he stood 
in the middle of the room, as his officers 
gathered around him, and shook each one 
in turn aiffiectionately by the hand, bidding 
him God-speed in the campaign which was 
to begin upon the morrow; urging them 
to remember that in the wear of sleepless 
nights and weary marches men more than 
at most other times need to bear with one 
another’s failings, to lay aside private jeal- 


TOAST TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 149 

ousies, and to stand shoulder to shoulder in 
the battle for their common cause and coun- 
try; cheering them with his steady confi- 
dence in their final victory, sternly though 
the war might rage meanwhile. 

It cannot last for ever, gentlemen ! We 
have proved ourselves in the North to be 
the winners of war's laurels ; and surely our 
work here is but just begun. It needs but 
a few more battles like King’s Mountain, 
and the tories will fall away from the Brit- 
ish and will seek their dens and swamps ; 
and without them, helpless indeed will be 
the British army. The war in the South 
has been so against us because we have 
been fighting our own people and not a 
foreign enemy. Once face to face with a 
purely British army, and man for man we 
need not fear results. Now, gentlemen, 
you have your orders. God bless you 
all!” 

And lighted by blazing flambeaux of 
pitch-pine in the hands of sable attendants, 
by twos and threes the ofiicers thoughtfully 
went their way to their quarters, ready 
once more to lift the sword again. 


150 


Morgan’s men. 


But as he passed him on his way, Major 
Burnet significantly held out his hand to 
Stuart with a silent but hearty pressure, 
which the boy most gratefully returned. 

It means so much to one to be under- 
stood ! 

And even as they parted, other waving 
lights in the distance betokened other arri- 
vals, and the hum of voices told that Mor- 
gan had arrived, in readiness to march with 
the army on the morrow. Stuart met him 
and his escort, face to face, and as he si- 
lently drew aside and saluted he could not 
help a feeling of thankfulness that the 
watchful, wary eyes of the frontiersman 
had not been looking on at that banquet 
so lately ended. 


CHAPTER XI. 


COLONEL Washington’s advance guard. 

F or days along the dun red road like 
a river of steel the army went, with 
long, swinging, woodsmen’s stride, and clad 
in uniforms of green that matched the for- 
est on either side. Greene had the larger 
part, by far, but Morgan’s were riflemen, 
each a host; and he had the promise of 
others to come from their rendezvous in his 
line of march. 

So southward, ever southward, till they 
crossed the Southern border and the trees 
of the Lower Carolina towered high above 
their heads ; and hour by hour, in twos and 
threes well-armed horsemen joined the plod- 
ding, hurrying men, each fresh from his 
mountain home, and perhaps equipped with 
a swinging haunch of venison and a little 
sack of corn as the only ration for the days 
to come. The brown waters of the Pacolet, 


152 


Morgan’s men. 


turbid with the rains, swirled around their 
limbs as they splashed across the fords; 
the drifting storm again and again hissed 
through the tree-tops, and sent cold drops 
through their garments to their shivering 
skins; yet on they swept with faces set 
and earnest, till the miles lay long behind 
them and the tree-clad ridge of glorious 
King’s Mountain loomed above them. Then 
Morgan called a halt. It was time now 
for more cautious measures. 

Colonel Washington, you will now keep 
well in advance of the infantry; you will 
establish a line of couriers between yourself 
and us, and keep me informed every few 
hours concerning your progress. You will 
despatch Captain Schuyler with a strong 
platoon to lead the van, and draw the 
enemy, and if possible ascertain his strength. 
You will find the latter at Ninety-Six.” 

‘‘1 understand, sir.” And the colonel 
saluted. 

And you. Captain Schuyler ? ” — and 
the general turned to his junior captain as 
he sat silently on his horse at his colonel’s 
back. 


WASHINGTON’S ADVANCE GUARD. 153 

‘^1 also, General, except on one point. 
Is it your desire that when found we merely 
develop his strength, or do you wish us to 
draw the enemy from his lair, and entice 
him out in order to give battle ? ” 

The latter, certainly. That is what we 
have come for — to fight him.” 

understand, sir,” — and the captain 
awaited any further instructions which the 
general might see fit to give direct; but 
after a puzzled look or two the general 
waved him away somewhat abruptly, and 
when out of earshot he said sharply to the 
astonished colonel : — 

^^Keep an eye on that fellow. Colonel, 
and if you see anything suspicious, put him 
under arrest at once. If more than sus- 
picious, and an arrest inconvenient, shoot 
him.” 

Then he wheeled his own horse and can- 
tered back to the rear guard, leaving the 
colonel staring after him in a most uncom- 
fortable frame of mind, his honest head 
groping vainly for some clue to this strange 
state of affairs between his new officer and 
his well-tried leader, of the loyalty of both 


154 


mokgan's men. 


of whom he had supposed that he possessed 
convincing proofs. 

Has the general gone mad ? ’’ he mut- 
tered. If he distrusts the captain, why on 
earth does he send him out in the advance 
guard ? Does he think that perhaps he will 
get shot and so make further trouble un- 
necessary ? There is some confounded poli- 
tics about this. I would wager ten to one 
that some stay-at-home patriot has been 
maligning the lad to Morgan. Well, orders 
are orders ; and after all, perhaps Schuyler 
is the best man to send forward.” 

So for miles the colonel communed with 
himself when he ought to have been think- 
ing of more vital things, such as keeping a 
bright eye out for news ; and Stuart, after 
a mile or two, seeing how abstracted he was, 
asked if he should attend to the couriers, 
and received only an unheeding nod as his 
reply. Whereupon Stuart promptly fell 
back and directed two men to fall out, halt 
long enough to smoke a pipe, then follow 
at a trot. Twenty minutes or more later 
two more were detached under similar or- 
ders ; and then others, till the way behind 


Washington’s advance guard. 155 

them was dotted with links of communica- 
tion. Then he signalled Gavin Paynt, who 
had accompanied him in a self-appointed 
capacity of orderly, to bring up Tartar, who 
thus far had been led by Gavin that he 
might be as fresh as possible when the time 
of need arose. 

‘^You may shift the saddle, Gavin. It 
is time for me to go forward with the ad- 
vance guard.” 

But, Cap’n, yo’ shorely ain’t goin’ to ride 
Tartar down thar ! ” expostulated Gavin, his 
eyes screwed up in a squint of amazement. 

The colonel, who was riding near, roused 
himself enough to listen. 

Certainly, Gavin ; it ’s the general’s 
orders.” 

But I stood nigh, Cap’n, an’ he did n’t 
say nothin’ about Tartar that I heered.” 

No. But he expects me to draw Tarle- 
ton out of his den, and that is the surest 
way to do it.” 

^^But — doggone it, Cap’n, he’ll know 
that black as fur as a buzzard kin see a 
dead coon, an’ if he catches yo’ thar won’t 
be a tree in all South Carliny high enough 


156 


Morgan’s men. 


ter suit him ! an’ I don’t know but what 
he ’ll tie yo’ ter a pitch-pine instid an’ set it 
alight. Don’t do it, Cap’n, now ! don’t ! ” 

Yes, I dare say he would — if he caught 
me, Gavin. But that is what he will not 
do, at least alive. Come — must I do it 
myself?” 

The man reluctantly dismounted and pro- 
ceeded to obey orders, but paused for a 
moment to say : — 

Anyway, Cap’n, yo ’ll shorely take me 
with you ? I kin shoot — right smart, an’ 
I mout be needed thar.” 

^^Yes — and glad to have you, Gavin. 
And while you are about it, pick out for 
me about a dozen of the best shots and the 
most reliable men to go on with me. Ask 
the sergeant yonder whom to take. They 
are all strangers to me, so I have no choice. 
Tell them they may have to ride hard for 
their lives, so that they ’ll know in advance 
just what to expect, and don’t take any one 
who seems backward about it.” 

Right, sir. I’ll see ter it. An’ I 
won’t have ter ask the sergint, nuther. 
I ’ve fit alongside o’ these fellers befo’. 


Washington's advance guard. 157 

Most any half a score 'd be good enough if 
their bosses be. And I ’ll take good keer 
they know what sort o’ lad ther cap’n is, 
too ! ” he muttered to himself as he fell back 
to execute his orders. What ’s been eatin’ 
Old Morgan that he should talk agin him 
like that ? Mebbe he did n’t s’pose I could 
hear way off thar, but I did, an’ for all he 
kep’ sich a stiddy face as though he was a 
wooden man for the minute, I ’ll bet a coon- 
skin the cap’n heerd him too. Looky hyar, 
Sergint, yo’ know me, er reckin, an’ what 
I says goes. Now, I want Rube Yadkin, 
Sile Turnipseed, them three red-headed 
brothers yawnduh, Ike Swisher, * an’ yo’ 
an’ yo’,” — to half a dozen more silent 
riders, — ^Her kim out thar whar that 
clump o’ hickories is. I’ve got somethin’ 
ter tell ye.” 

In obedience to a nod from the sergeant 
the men fell out of line and trotted over to 
the designated place, standing as closely 
grouped as their horses would allow, and 
eying Gavin curiously. They knew him 
of old as one of Sumter’s men. 

Now, fellers, I ’ve pecked ye out o’ ther 


158 


Morgan’s men. 


crowd as good level-headed men ter go for- 
rard with ther cap’n. But whoever rides 
after his back has got ter expect ter go whar 
they throw lead round almighty keerless. So 
if I Ve made ary mistake in a man jist let 
hm back out er yere right smart now.” 

“That’s all right, Gavin,” drawled the 
nearest man, speaking for the rest. “We ’ll 
stick.” 

“Thought so. Now, the cap’n ’s goin’ 
plumb up agin Tarleton, a-ridin’ o’ that 
black. Now yo’ all know what sort o’ fiend 
Tarleton is at best. But the cap’n stole 
that black right out o’ Tarle ton’s camp, an’ 
’twas his own boss. P’raps some o’ you 
know what Tarleton’ s likely ter be at his 
wust ! ” and he paused and looked around 
grimly, enjoying the decided sensation 
among the men as they stared at him, at 
the unconscious Tartar in the van, and at 
his rider, alternately. 

“ Wot for does he do it ? ” asked Bube 
Yadkin in open-eyed wonder. 

“ Cos he ’s ordered. Old Morgan wants 
Tarleton drawed out o’ that, an’ picks the 
cap’n out ter do it. Ther cap’n says ter 


Washington’s advance guard. 159 

himself, Tartar ’s ther best bait, so Tartar 
I ’ll ride ; an’ I could n’t get him out o’ ther 
idee nohow. Now I know that lad well 
enough ter know that when it comes ter 
ther scratch he ’ll send every man back ter 
the rear before he starts himself. An’ if he 
gits lead or if Tartar does, Tarleton will do 
his level best ter git a holt of him. Now I 
want you fellers ter swear ter keep an eye 
skinned f er him no matter what happens — 
no matter what happens,” he repeated im- 
pressively. Fer if we don’t bring him 
back with us, either alive or dead, I fer one 
don’t want ter ever see camp nor Sumter’s 
men agin.” 

And without seeming to notice, neverthe- 
less Stuart wondered not a little at the way 
which that squad of hardy raiders eyed him 
as they fell in behind his back in a close 
knot according to order, and at their prompt 
obedience to his slightest wish then and 
numerous days afterward. Gavin knew 
his audience well. Not a man but was 
riding a horse which had not been bought 
nor paid for; but for the most part they 
came from friends, or at least from tories. 


160 


Morgan’s men. 


That their leader, young though he was, 
was riding a steed reft from the blood-red 
hands of their most dreaded enemy by his 
own craft made him their leader indeed, 
more definitely than all the commissions that 
ever came from Congress could do ; even as 
Comanche or Cheyenne esteemed his own 
war-chief by like accomplishment. So, far 
in advance of the main battalion rode the 
lad in the dun-yellow buckskin hunting- 
shirt, conspicuous for very lack of uniform 
among the riders in green; and far from 
regarding it with disapproval they deemed 
it one more evidence of their leader’s good, 
sound war-sense, and chuckled to them- 
selves accordingly. 

Ere they lost touch with the battalion, 
however, Gavin Paynt reined back his horse 
with the air of one who has forgotten some- 
thing, and cantered back for a moment. 
Drawing rein alongside of Colonel Wash- 
ington, like the free, independent Southerner 
that he was, he said in a low, confidential 
voice : — 

^^CunnT, havin’ ears, I couldn’t well 
help a-hearin’ what the gineral said ter ye 


Washington’s ADVANCE guard. 161 


about Cap’n Schuyler ; an’ I just want ter 
say that ther gineral’s got some confounded 
bee in his bonnet about it that ’s all totally 
wrong. We men with Sumter owe our 
lives ter ’im, an’ I owe mine twice over; 
an’ I jist want ter say that if any man tries 
ter carry out that last order o’ ther gineral 
that man’ll die in his tracks right thar; 
an’ it won’t be over healthy country round 
about fer ther one what gives the order ter 
’im, nuther.” 

There was a glint in the man’s eye as 
he said it that was in striking variance with 
the cool, lazy drawl of his voice. Having said 
it, he dropped the rein on his horse’s neck 
with an unconscious movement, as of one 
who was expecting action of some sort, and, 
it being war time, both hands and his rifle 
might as well be free for service. 

But the colonel impulsively held out his 
own hand across the space between them 
and grasped Gavin’s in a hearty clasp. 

Good ! good ! 1 don’t know the lad as 

you do, but I couldn’t believe that the 
general was right about him, for he seemed 

to be good and true. And I thank you for 
11 


162 


Morgan’s men. 


coming straight to me, like a man. I must 
obey orders, of course, and keep an eye ” 
on him ; but there are two ways of doing 
that, and thanks to you I now know which 
is the right way. You need not fear for 
him while he is under my command. But 
I wish you could tell me what it is that has 
set the general to suspect him.” 

This, however, was more than Gavin 
Paynt could do, nor, for that matter, could 
the general himself, had he been there. 
Two very good people can nevertheless 
have an antipathy for each other, yet be 
able to give no reason for it. The subject 
was of such interest, and the colonel was so 
specially interested in Gavin’s account of 
how Stuart had warned Sumter of the 
coming raid of Tarleton, that time flew 
faster than they were aware, and presently 
Silas Turnipseed came back to them at a 
keen run, almost dashing into the line as 
he rounded a clump of trees. 

Ther cap’n’s respec’s sir ! ” he said, 
saluting, ^^an’ he’s caught three tories a- 
scoutin’. Took ’em clean by surprise, ’fore 
they ’d any idee of us bein’ round or ’fore 


WASHINGTOT^’S ADVANCE GUARD. 163 

they’d ary chance ter cook up a yarn 
atween ’em. He kep’ ’em apart an’ went 
a-gunnin’ fer news ” — here the man grinned 
in spite of himself at some humorous recol- 
lection — an’ they all tell ’bout ther same 
story, as how Tarleton’s at Ninety-Six 
with a lot o’ men. One says a thousan’, 
’nother says twelve hundred, an’ ther third, 
who seems a bit the most knowin’, makes it 
eleven. An’ as that splits ther difference 
the cap’n thinks as it ’s ’bout right. So he 
sends me back to have ther news passed on 
ter ther gineral.” 

The colonel listened eagerly, his fine face 
lighting with excitement, and turning in 
his saddle he beckoned to the nearest man. 

Ride back at full speed to the nearest 
relay, and bid him forward the news to 
General Morgan that ColonM Tarleton is 
reported by three different tories to be at 
Ninety-Six with about eleven hundred men. 
Remain on the relay in the man’s place. 
Off with you ! ” 

And the man went off like a shot. 

^^What became of the prisoners?” he 
continued, turning to the messenger. 


164 


Morgan’s men. 


Yo ’ll find them tied up ter some handy 
trees a right smart chance along thar, sir. 
Ther cap’n ’s kept right on ; an’ if you please, 
sir, I ’d like ter git right back ter ’im.” 
Anything about to happen ? ” 

^^Er reckin’ so, sir. Tears like as how 
he’s a-goin’ ter go a-whoopin’ right inter 
Tarleton’s quarters an’ wake ’im up like a 
wasp’s nest ; an’ I want ter be thar to take 
a hand.” 

Gavin Paynt uttered a dismayed excla- 
mation. 

^a’m ofi!” 

The next moment his horse was stretched 
out in a keen run ; and before he had van- 
ished around the turn the messenger, catch- 
ing the order before it was well uttered, was 
making the ground thunder under the tread 
of his horse in hot pursuit ; and the colonel, 
rising in his stirrups, turned to his eager 
men, and with a wave of his gauntleted 
hand shouted, — 

Attention ! Forward ! ” 


CHAPTER XII. 


THE TEMPTING OF TARLETON. 

O H, then there was riding indeed, that 
day ! No better horsemen than our 
men of the South ever strapped a spur to 
a shoeless foot ; and it was not every 
foot in that little troop that wore a 
shoe in those days. Some wore moccasins. 
And all wore in their faces an eager, intent 
look ; the gaze of men who can foretell the 
future to their satisfaction, and to whom 
only the good therein is revealed as yet. 

They had prowled around the British like 
wolves in the night. Like wolves they had 
set upon and overcome the stragglers from 
the herd, and had taught them over and 
over again the stern lesson that their safety 
lay in the herd only, and not elsewhere ; 
and all this was but their own preliminary 
lesson in the art of predatory war. Now in 
that reckless safety which lies in the heart 


166 


Morgan’s men. 


of audacity like the central vacuum in a 
candle’s flame, they were to plunge straight 
at the daylight camp of Tarleton himself ! 

So each man took a fresh grip on his 
horse’s rein, and even as he rode saw to it 
that his rifle was ready for sudden use. 

And first they came on three dead horses 
by the roadside, at which the leading 
steeds shied violently. Then a little further 
they came on three tories, each hugging af- 
fectionately the trunk of a hickory with 
arms and legs, as they sat at their respective 
bases; and lest they forget their duty, 
hands and feet were tied together; and at 
the moment one was finding the rough 
trunk of the utmost service in removing an 
impertinent bug from a promenade along 
his nose. 

The men set up a shout of laughter at 
the sight as they swept by, but the sullen 
tories answered never a word, but ducked 
their heads to avoid the showers of sand 
from the sputtering hoofs, and wriggled 
when ounces of it found lodgment down 
their necks. The way of a patriot is hard, 
especially when on the losing side ‘pro tern. 


THE TEMPTING OF TARLETON. 167 

But Forward ! was the word. This 
was no time to tarry for the tending of 
prisoners now; and the colonel choked 
down a laugh himself as he waved his hand 
for silence in the ranks. Then before them 
appeared a little glade, and in the centre of 
it a man holding up his hand for caution, 
and at the signal of their leader the troop 
drew rein and filed right and left on either 
side, until the sun shone hotly down upon 
the opening filled with stamping, restless 
horses, with their riders boot to boot. 

^‘What is it, Yadkin?” 

The cap’n’s respec’s, Gunnel, an’ thar ’s 
a medder right ahead. Acrosst ther middle 
of it ’s a dry run. Beyond that thar’s good 
chargin’ ground, an’ beyond that he ’s found 
a picket o’ Tarleton’s men. He wants ter 
drive that in, an’ while doin’ of it, says as 
how mebhe you mought hide you-all in the 
bottom of the run; an’ if he draws ary 
badgers out er their holes he ’ll come back 
full jump an’ gin a whistle when it ’s time 
ter let drive. The picket don’t know nothin’ 
about it yet.” 

Sure about that ? ” 


168 


Morgan’s men. 


Sartain, Gunnel.” 

Is the run clear in sight ? ” 

Not an inch of it. Would n’t ’a’ known 
’twas thar, myself.” 

^^How did you find it out without the 
picket seeing you, then?” 

^^The cap’n did that, er reckon. Gunnel. 
He showed us as how the grass was a differ- 
ent colour about thar ; an’ ter prove it, he ’n’ 
I snaked in on our bellies an’ part way across 
the medder beyond. He went one side an’ 
I t’ other. I thought I was some at deer- 
stalkin’ ; but doggone it, he kin creep up 
ter the tail of a wide-awake painter ! that 
thar yeller shirt of his ’n is jest a good squar’ 
dead-grass colour, an’ if yer take yer eyes 
off ’n him in tall hay ’t aint none so easy 
ter find him agin.” 

Hum ! ” and the colonel meditated a 
moment over the news. 

^^All right, Yadkin. Tell him to go 
ahead, but be careful not to get ambushed 
himself. As soon as we see the backs of 
the picket out of sight we ’ll hunt for cover 
in the run. Is it big enough for us all ? ” 

^^Oh, plenty. Drops down kinder steep 


THE TEMPTING OF TARLETON. 169 

on this side, but slopes up jest lovely on 
t’ other.” 

With that, Yadkin backed out from the 
group around him and started for the woods 
which encircled the glade. But before he 
vanished he halted his horse, and • with 
characteristic hunter’s caution refreshed the 
priming of his rifle, which weapon, there- 
after, he held in one hand ready for instant 
use. 

The colonel rode on after him alone, and 
presently found that the woods were but a 
thin mask or curtain separating the glade 
from quite an expanse of open ground. 
Peering out cautiously from the shadow, he 
saw the whole performance : the picket of 
half a dozen men, squatting under a clump 
of trees to which their horses were teth- 
ered; the advent of a group of green-clad 
men, with a yellow hunting-shirt in their 
midst, from the woods not far from him- 
self; their slow trot to the channel, into 
which they disappeared as though diving 
into deep water ; their sudden reappearance 
as from the very ground, considerably 
nearer to the picket, showing where the bed 


170 


Morgan’s men. 


of the ancient watercourse wound its de- 
vious way into the heart of the plain ; the 
plunging of the tethered horses at the ap- 
parition; the leaps of the picket to their 
feet and their rush for the steeds, and the 
scattering in the air of a pack of cards 
which sailed around and plunged into the 
shrubbery like huge grasshoppers, betraying 
by their presence one cause of the success, 
thus far, of the continental approach ; the 
rush and charge of the men in green, and 
the hasty flight of the others ; — then with 
an excited laugh he backed his own horse 
out of the bushes and sped back to his 
command. 

Come on, men ! ” 

And with a break-up of confabbing circles 
they came stringing out of the enclosure, 
and after a brief canter buried themselves 
in the gully even as had their advance- 
guard. The grass rustled and hissed as 
they tore along the bottom, until they 
reached the other side of Ihe bend; then, 
strung along it ready for a charge in line, 
there was nothing to do but wait. 

But not for long. Not many minutes 


THE TEMPTING OF TARLETON. 171 

later came the sound of guns again, and 
presently a light bay horse appeared among 
the trees, coming at a dead run. Then 
after him came others, their riders leaning 
low over their horses’ withers and looking 
back. But where was the captain ? 

There he is ! ” burst from the lips of 
half a dozen simultaneously, as with tufts of 
grass stuck in their hatbands they peered 
out beneath the disguising thatch and over 
the tops of the sedges which they so much 
resembled. Yes, there he was indeed, his 
black horse lagging far behind the others, 
while again and again a gun was raised 
among the pursuing group and lowered 
again as the watchful rider ducked to avoid 
the coming shot, and the gunner was re- 
luctant to run the risk of killing a good 
horse which seemed likely to come to hand 
shortly without trouble. It was as exciting 
as a play, or, better, the flight of a retiarius 
in a Roman amphitheatre as he gathers in 
his net in readiness for another cast at his 
deadly foe. And now the net was gath- 
ered, and the time to swing its encircling 
mesh was at hand. 


172 


Morgan’s men. 


With a touch of the spur and an encour- 
aging word, Tartar shot forward like a bolt 
from an arbalest; forward and far to one 
side. And at the instant the war-sharpened 
wit of the pursuer warned him of some 
snare in this black miracle, and there was 
a checking of eager horses. Then came the 
shrilling of a whistle, sweet, penetrating, yet 
sending a cold shiver down the spines of 
men from over-sea ; for there was a sinister 
significance in that sweetness, like unto 
honey from nightshade, which man eats 
but once. 

And then, with cheers and sardonic 
laughter came the charge of armed men, 
like a fresh sowing of dragons’ teeth, along 
that peaceful meadow as they sprang in a 
long line of horsemen from the very soil. 
And then the flight, and that which has 
already been told. And presently back 
came the riders laughing, their horses 
panting and champing their restraining 
bits, eager for another wild burst of speed 
like the last. 

The colonel shook his captain heartily by 
the hand. 


THE TEMPTING OF TARLETON. 173 

That was well done, Schuyler, — well 
planned, well carried out. Now the prob- 
lem is, what will those fellows do next? 
They can’t rest easy under this insult.” 

We shall see Colonel Tarleton, I think, 
sir, about as soon as he can get his horse 
saddled, if he is in that camp.” 

I think so myself. Well, let him come. 
That is what we are here for.” 

Excuse me. Colonel, but I would sug- 
gest that we get back to the woods. This 
meadow is too open for us.” 

« Why, you are n’t afraid, are you ? ” 

The question was put so laughingly, and 
even as the colonel’s own horse was quick- 
ened into motion, that there was no sting 
in it. 

No, sir ; I cannot say that I am afraid, 
under present circumstances, for you know 
Tarleton. But of course if he came out in 
force here in his usual impetuous way he 
would overwhelm us in an instant, from 
sheer power of numbers. I am afraid Gen- 
eral Morgan does not realize how strong the 
colonel is just now. The Britisher always 
has his men hard, seasoned fellows, stern 


174 


Morgan’s men. 


fighters ; and a thousand of them would be a 
tough nut for our small force to crack unless 
we have very much the vantage in position. 
I hope you will impress that on the general’s 
mind, if I may venture to say it.” 

And on my word, I believe he is com- 
ing out now ! ” 

It was true, at least, that beyond the 
meadow the other side of which Washing- 
ton’s men had reached apparently but in 
the nick of time, a line of scurrying horse- 
men was deploying hurriedly as the pla- 
toons came out from their rear and found 
places in the rank. 

Ready, men ! ” cried the colonel, no less 
promptly. ‘^Give them one volley, then 
into the woods every son of you ! ” 

There was an instant, sputtering crash 
and roar, the echoes of which reverberated 
among the trees, and the horses in the op- 
posing line here and there shied excitedly, 
throwing the alignment into confusion. But 
the distance was greater than the colonel 
had calculated. One man dropped like a 
plummet from his saddle, and lay still, but 
only one. The rest yelled defiantly, and 


THE TEMPTING OF TARLETON. 175 

looked around for the word of command to 
charge. But the lieutenant whose duty it 
was to give it lay on the sward under his 
horse’s feet, and ere another officer had 
reached the front the line of their enemies 
had faded like mist, and there was nothing 
to charge against but trees; and since the 
Blackstocks affair, Tarleton’s officers had 
been a little shy of ordering charges against 
unknown forces in such array, whatever 
their colonel himself might think. So the 
captain sent back prompt word of the situ- 
ation to the colonel, and in orthodox style 
dismounted a platoon of his auxiliary tories 
and sent them across the meadow in a 
strong skirmish line, his own men standing 
ready to cover them with a volley at any 
who might be rash enough to interfere with 
their advance. 

Colonel Washington watched the proceed- 
ings narrowly. 

Load with three buckshot and a ball, 
men, you who have smoothbores,” he said 
coolly. That must hit something, even in 
a grass patch. Fire when you see a waving 
tuft of grass, and aim well under.” 


176 


Morgan’s men. 


So presently a gun spoke out sharply, as 
some keen hunter’s eye detected the flutter 
of meadow sedge ; and after one or two 
trials as to the precise angle at which to 
aim under,” the grass around those spots 
suddenly ceased to be troubled, save by tho* 
natural waving of the breeze ; and becoming 
convinced of the uselessness of this, with a 
yell Tarleton’s men dashed, mounted, half- 
way across the meadow and into the run, 
which they had discovered for themselves, 
or of which perhaps they had prior knowl- 
edge. And from here each puff of smoke 
drew a dangerous return in a hail of balls, 
some of which began to find the mark as 
now and then a cry told. Meanwhile, 
stealthily the advance of the snakes-in-the- 
grass began again ; and some already had 
reached the wood far to right and left be- 
yond the frontage guarded by the slender 
line ; and now and then the crack of a stick 
or an incautious rustle marked their ap- 
proach. Then from troops which had been 
left beyond the meadow came a sudden 
burst of cheering. 

Tarleton has come at last, sir,” said 


THE TEMPTING OF TARLETON. 177 

Stuart, quietly, to his colonel, as the latter 
rode over to inspect his part of the line. 
“ I hear their flankers also, over yonder. 
They will take us in the rear in about ten 
minutes, now. Meanwhile — ’’ 

There was a bleat from a battered bugle 
beyond the plain, and Stuart said as to 
himself, — 

Here they come ! ” 

The colonel looked at him inquiringly, 
then needed no explanation, as with a slight 
pause to gather their horses well in hand 
the troopers in the rear threw themselves 
forward at a sharp canter, making the 
ground tremble beneath them ; and at the 
moment those in the run, encouraged, burst 
from their concealment and rode straight at 
the trees. 

There was an instant flicker of flame 
among the interstices of the coverts, and 
yells from the charging men. Three 
buckshot and a hair’ indeed were likely 
to hit something at such a time. But 
before the echoes of the discharge died 
away Washington wheeled his horse, and 
the mellow notes of his hunting-horn drifted 
12 


178 


Morgan’s men. 


like the cooing of a wood-dove through the 
smoke-wreathed forest ; and with a rush and 
crackle and snapping of limbs the men of 
the woods and swamps poured from either 
side into the narrow roadway by which 
they had come and streamed away rear- 
ward at full speed. The colonel himself 
tarried in the glade until the last man of 
his troop had passed him ; indeed, until 
several of the opposing force burst through 
the bushes across the opening, tearing the 
blinding veil of vines and leaves from 
before their eyes. Then with a gallant 
wave of his gauntlet toward his foes he 
followed his retreating men and swept 
through the forest like an antlered stag. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


HOW LORD EGERTON CHEERED A DEED OF 
DARING, AND TARLETON’s WRATH 
THEREAT. 


C OLONEL BANASTRE TARLETON 
sat on his second best horse, splashed 
and muddy. 

A yard of grapevine twined around his 
neck. It felt cold and clammy, and alto- 
gether suggestive. Some day he might be 
taken by the enterprising enemy. He gave 
an involuntary shiver, and flung it off with 
a muttered remark which he did not print 
in his memoirs. 

There was some reason for his discontent. 
The road before him appeared to have dis- 
appeared. On one hand was the forest, 
dank, dense, suggestive of snakes in their 
season and pestilent rebels in any season. 
On the other hand had been a branch de- 
partment of the same forest, but a freakish 


180 


Morgan’s men. 


tornado one day had twisted the largest 
pine out of its boots and stood it on its 
head, incidentally smashing several acres of 
woodland into inextricable confusion. Be- 
tween these two dilemmas had run the road, 
which now took a dive underneath a moun- 
tain of boughs as tangled with the cordage 
of huge vines as was ever the mast of a 
wrecked frigate. 

Boughs and vines were green, and the 
colonel was in no uncertainty as to how 
they came there. 

Blocked by the leafy dam, his whole force 
was resting on its arms for a mile at least 
rearward, and in among the branches the 
glint of steel and the crash of rending wood 
came at rapid intervals. They were good 
axemen, too, who swung their weapons 
there. One of them had cleared quite a 
space of brushwood until he could work 
effectively at his greater task; and now, 
holding the axe by the end of the helve and 
swinging it with both hands, blow after 
blow fell as regularly as the ticking of a 
clock, true as a die, and at every third 
stroke the dexterous flirt of his iron wrist 


A DEED OF DARING. 


181 


wrenched from the trunk of the fallen tree 
a chip as large as a soup-plate without 
causing a break in the rhythm of his 
strokes. The colonel watched him moodily, 
scarce knowing why. 

To the sullen officer suddenly appeared 
an apparition of substantial make, as from 
the rear an officer came trotting up, fol- 
lowed at a respectful distance by a weary- 
looking escort. The officer himself, however, 
looked as trim and ruddy of face as though 
fresh from the banquet board. 

Well, Colonel, ^ Tarletoh’s Horse ' seems 
to be ^ Tarleton’s Foot ’ to-day, by right of 
progress, else I had hardly caught up with 
you ere night. The infantry alone seemed 
a league along the road.’’ 

Lord Egerton ! ” — and the colonel 
looked back at him over his shoulder in 
angry surprise, — how the mischief did 
you get here?” 

‘‘ Oh, followed your tracks, Colonel,” re- 
plied the young lieutenant, cheerfully, look- 
ing curiously at the barrier before them. 

The earl sent me to tell you that Leslie is 
to keep along abreast of you within sup- 


182 


Morgan’s men. 


porting distance, so that if you find the 
enemy too strong for you a courier will 
bring speedy aid. A corps of pioneers 
would be no bad addition to the force, it 
seems; but those fellows slash away like 
good ones. Gad! it makes me warm just 
to see them.” 

Thanks for the earl’s kindness,” — and 
there was a strong flavour of sarcasm in the 
colonel’s voice which he took no pains to 
conceal, — but I ’ve chased Sumter in the 
South, and my fear now is only that he 
will prove too swift in his flight.” 

^^But you are not chasing Sumter this 
time, you know,” said Lord Egerton, 
amiably. 

The colonel simply stared. 

The earl has reliable word from loyal- 
ists that Morgan is before you, not Sumter.” 

Well, what ’s the difference ? In either 
case he is before me so certainly that there 
is no predicting when we can overtake 
him. These rebels can run like their own 
long-legged hogs in a canebrake in bear 
time.” 

What might have been said next was 


A DEED OF DARING. 


183 


destined to remain unspoken, for the axe- 
man suddenly dropped out of sight among 
the debris of his own making, while the 
crack of a solitary rifle came from some- 
where faintly beyond the barrier. There 
was a momentary confusion, a hasty crash- 
ing of men who forced their way eagerly in 
search of the slayer ; then another took up 
the work where his predecessor left ofl, and 
the chopping was resumed as regularly as 
ever. Neither officer looked toward the 
fallen axeman. It was merely one of the 
incidents of war. And he was only a loyal- 
ist. Yet some one once loved him, some- 
where, and perhaps did so still. 

The difference lies in the nature of the 
two men. Colonel,’’ said the lieutenant, re- 
suming the conversation. Sumter is of a 
^ cut-and-come-again ’ order, and never has 
many men with him. Morgan is of higher 
rank, and has proved a stubborn fighter 
before to-day ; so he is sure to have a larger 
force.” 

Well, large or small, he is not likely to 
be a match for my eleven hundred rascals, 
half of whom are fit to be hung if they live 


184 


Morgan’s men. 


until peace is proclaimed ; and I ’m more 
likely still to overtake him. 

There! That infernal tree is giving 
way at last!” — he broke off, as with a 
crash the whole massive top of the tree 
split off from the trunk at the kerf of the 
axe and slid away from the road, leaving 
the passage clear save for the severed butt, 
at which already a gang of men was 
tugging. 

Now, Leftenant, keep a good eye out for 
an ambush as you go back. I must march.” 

But I am not to go back,” laughed the 
lieutenant. It struck me I should see 
more service with you just now, and the 
earl kindly gave me leave to join you.” 

The very thing ! I am short an officer, 
thanks to some long-haired Greek in the 
mob yonder, and need another aide. Now 
then,” he shouted, — For-r-r’ard ! ” 

And the horses, well rested by the delay, 
responded spiritedly to the spur and the 
column took up its march again. But it 
was weary, exasperating work. The end- 
less trampling of the hoofs in the soft 
earth, the rumble and thump of wheels 


A DEED OF DARING. 


185 


against projecting roots, the crack of the 
drivers’ whips, the jingle of steel rings 
seemed strangely out of place in that quiet 
forest, otherwise so silent, with not even a 
bird winging its way across from tree to 
tree, whose tall trunks loomed upward in 
the dusky shadows in places as thick as pal- 
isades, or gigantic organ-pipes. They could 
go but slowly here. Then there would 
be a glade or clearing across which with 
hearty relief at the change the footmen 
would dash at a double, and the horses 
would go plunging in full career only to 
dive into tlie forest again at a slower gait 
on the other side. Only the extreme van 
even saw an enemy ; although now and then 
by the roadside the little army had to pass 
grim evidence that there were enemies in 
that peaceful forest; and finally, too rest- 
less to remain in the centre of the column, 
the lieutenant-colonel and Lord Egerton 
took advantage of a break in the woodland 
to canter to the front. 

Anything to be seen, Durgin ? ” asked 
the colonel, shortly, as he joined the officer 
in command of the leading platoon. 


186 


Morgan’s men. 


^^Yery little, Colonel, except trees. I 
think there’s a little company of rebels 
keeping pace with us just ahead, and watch- 
ing for chances to fell a tree or break a 
bridge ; but we are not giving th n time to 
fell a large tree, and a small one would not 
stay us five minutes. It ’s about time now 
that they did something again, and I am a 
bit puzzled to know why they don’t begin.” 

They know who is after them,” 
remarked the lieutenant-colonel, compla- 
cently ; and Lord Egerton smiled at a con- 
venient tree-trunk near. 

^^Yes,” said Captain Durgin, innocently, 
I have been pressing them rather closely 
for the last few miles. I suppose it keeps 
them walking.” 

The lieutenant-colonel looked somewhat 
discomposed, and Lord Egerton laughed out- 
right, not having the fear of temporary 
commanding officers in his mind. 

Yes, yes ; that is as it should be ! ” said 
Tarleton, a little hastily, affecting not to 
hear the cachinnation in his rear. ^^Are 
not the trees thinning out there, ahead ? ” 
Thar ’s a medder yawnduh,” broke in a 


A DEED OF DARING. 


187 


tall, lank tory, a typical Southerner of the 
canebrakes, who was acting as scout-master 
to the troops. Then as though he had ex- 
hausted his stock of ideas he relapsed into 
silence as suddenly as he had spoken, and 
chewed vigorously at a lump of very black 
tobacco. 

Good ! now we can get on faster for a 
while — so long as it lasts.’’ 

Thar’s two medders,” said the guide 
again. Fust one, then t’ other.” 

And so it proved. It was delightful to 
get out of the gloom of the trees even for a 
minute, and the entire van struck into 
a keen run and streamed across the clearing 
like the first flight in a fox-hunt, thereby 
overtaking and swallowing up the scouts. 
As a result they all plunged into the little 
curtain of trees beyond the glade together, 
and found themselves at the startled heels 
of a troop of horsemen who were trotting 
along leisurely enough, not expecting so 
sudden an overtaking. 

Instantly both Tarleton and his aide gave 
vent to a delighted View Halloo ! ” which 
sent their intended quarry darting across 


188 


Morgan’s men. 


the second meadow like frightened hares; 
but two or three of them swung round in 
their saddles as they fled and sent back 
a Parthian shot or two, which had the 
luck to take effect in the leading horses, 
three of whom dropped to the shot ; where- 
upon Tarleton, Lord Egerton, and Captain 
Durgin promptly came as many croppers, 
landing a yard or more beyond their horses’ 
noses as the beasts floundered across the 
fallen steeds in front of them. 

Fire ! Fire on the hounds ! ” yelled 
the lieutenant-colonel promptly, ere he had 
risen, an inch in his upward spring ; and 
with equal promptness the woods echoed 
with the roar of the firelocks of his men, 
while the ragged lead hissed and hummed 
above his head. There was a single answer- 
ing cry as the rearmost horse of the retreat- 
ing continentals winced at the shot, reared, 
and fell backward with a crash, while his 
rider, after flinging himself clear, took a step 
or two onward, faltered, fell, then on hands 
and knees crept back to where his horse 
was lying and sank down behind it as be- 
hind a breastwork, his long rifle brought to 


A DEED OF DARING. 


189 


bear full on the group of officers, yet in a 
strange, wavering fashion, as of one uncer- 
tain of his own purpose, or dazed with a 
shock and wound. 

Well, we ’ve got one of them, anyhow,’’ 
growled the lieutenant-colonel, as he rose 
from the damp earth with some agility and 
sought refuge behind his horse. Spread 
out there, men; deploy right and left till 
you flank him and pick him off.” 

The troopers obediently wheeled their 
horses on either side, and halting, deliber- 
ately began to reload their pieces, not ap- 
pearing to be in any special haste about it, 
but as though they were enjoying the game 
and did not want it too soon over. 

Why not take the poor devil prisoner. 
Colonel?” asked the lieutenant, suddenly. 

dare say he’ll surrender if we give 
quarter.” 

I dare say he will, when I give it ! ” 
was the cold reply. 

The lieutenant turned away with a feel- 
ing of disgust. It was one thing to see men 
fall in the excitement of battle. But this 
cold, deliberate despatching of a wounded 


190 


mokgan’s men. 


man without offer of mercy was not war; 
it was murder. And he knew it, and was 
powerless to prevent it. He looked away 
from that spot at which all other eyes of 
the troop were centred and toward the op- 
posite woodland. Then he started, and 
though about to speak thought better of 
it, and remained silent, yet as though 
riveted to the spot. 

Half-way between those woods and the 
fallen horse another horse was coming like 
the wind across the grasses, — a horse as 
black as coal, his head foreshortened so 
that red nostrils and eyes seemed a group of 
glowing irons fresh from the forge, and 
riderless, so far as one could see. Not ten 
seconds had he been in range of the lieu- 
tenant’s wondering vision when he came 
skimming over the sedge and halted along- 
side of the dead horse, throwing aloft with 
a triumphant toss his own noble head, while 
his jetty mane and tail streamed in the 
swirl of wind brought by his coming. Then 
from somewhere or nowhere, or from his 
clinging place on the other side, a rider shot 
into view, who seemed just a flash of yellow 


A DEED OF DAEING. 


191 


as he rose in the air then dropped on the 
nearer side and in full view. Then back he 
went to saddle again, but more slowly, 
steadily ; and with him, swung like a child 
by the might of one iron arm and muscle- 
rounded shoulder, went the wounded man, 
still clinging to his rifle. Then like the 
wind the black once more went whistling 
across the grasses as though his double bur- 
den was as naught, although two sturdy 
riders hung and clung respectively, low-lying 
to evade the pursuing bullets which by all 
rights ought to come. 

No scene in the theatre at home that 
Lord Egerton ever saw was so thrilling 
to the very soul as that! The red blood 
rushed to his face, went tingling to his 
finger-tips ; and while at right and left dazed 
troopers sat in their saddles, ramrod in hand, 
or holding useless bullets in their arrested 
fingers, and gazed in blank amazement at 
the horse lying prostrate in the grass, and 
at the swallow-flight of the black steed now 
just vanishing into the shadows of the trees, 
the young lieutenant tore his helmet from 
his head, and holding it on high his clear 


192 


Morgan’s men. 


voice went ringing across the meadow, and 
echoed sharply from the circling forest. 

“Bravo, Stuart! Bravo! Bravo! 
Bravo ! ” 

And after a brief, blank pause, every 
man in sight of English birth — save one — 
hurled his yell of applause into the ringing 
medley of wild shouting, while the tories 
looked at each other, and at their excited 
comrades in arms in angry amaze. Safe in 
the gloom of the woods a rider turned his 
head and’ gazed long and earnestly back- 
ward, striving to determine from whence 
that familiar voice had come, shouting his 
own name. What friend had he among 
those bitter enemies? And back in the 
meadow, as the clamour ceased, came the 
stern, cold voice of the colonel, — 

“Leftenant Egerton, report yourself to 
my provost as under arrest for encouraging 
rebellion. Forward, all ! ” 

Then the leafy curtain seemed to drop 
between pursuer and pursued as the cheer 
for daring unselfishness, for that true noble- 
ness which brings to light all that is noble 
in other men, was among the things that 


A DEED OF DARING. 


193 


were, and the unrelenting chase began 
again. And far away on the flank, from 
the forest, like an echo to Tarleton’s com- 
mand, came the sleepy snarl of an awakened 
wildcat disturbed in his siesta on a massive 
bough. 


13 


CHAPTER XIV. 


THE GIRL IN MASSACHUSETTS. 

D own in the Carolinas the wind was 
sweeping across sodden, winter-with- 
ered grasses. A thousand miles away to 
the northeast it was whispering among 
the dry leaves that clustered around the 
heavy limbs of a giant beech like russet 
curls around the crown of a huge, elderly 
giant shorn at the top by Time. 

It was nearly noon. Up through the 
branches of that beech drifted a light 
smoke of burning wood and a most savoury 
smell of something good which was cooking 
in the pot upon the fire. The pot hung by 
a bit of trace-chain from a beechen pole. 
Five or six feet from the fire the pole passed 
through a loop of twisted beechen withe 
hung from the fork of a stake driven deep 
through the trampled snow to the earth, 
three or four feet below. The further end 


THE GIRL IN MASSACHUSETTS. 195 

of the pole rested in a similar fork^ and was 
kept there by the weight of a short log with 
a short branch on it, by which it was hooked 
as a counterpoise upon the pole. The snow 
around the fire was trampled hard, and 
partially carpeted with a mat of hemlock 
boughs. The fire itself was built upon the 
level top of a stump full four feet through, 
cut off at the level of the trampled snow. 

The heavy butt of the beech threw out 
buttresses of roots on either side which 
caught and reflected back the fire, and the 
cold wind which rustled far above was 
barred from that snug corner by wind- 
shields of hemlocks growing here and 
there. Back between those protecting but- 
tresses a squared block of wood with a folded 
coat upon it made a comfortable seat, and 
on the seat sat a maiden. 

The warmth of the fire had led her to 
untie her hood of snowy wool. The re- 
quirements of tending kitchen made its 
presence still desirable. The shifting force 
of the chilled wind demanded a fastening ; 
and the deft fingers of the maiden rose to 
the occasion and the need, twisting the 


196 


Morgan’s men. 


woolly shape into what now would have 
been likened to a Scotch cap ; twining the 
narrow ribbons in and out of the rich, dark 
hair, in which as the sun fell on it gleamed 
here and there a glint as of threads of ruddy 
gold. The result was wholly unfashionable, 
entirely bewitching ; and out upon the near- 
est mound of untouched snow a great white 
hare halted in his limping progress, and sat 
bolt upright on its summit, gazing with 
bulging eyes at the strange sight, his ears 
stretched skyward to their full height of 
utter amazement. The maiden’s merry 
brown eyes looked at him across the fire. 
His drooping forepaws and eagerly twitch- 
ing nose were such a comic contrast to the 
church-spire rigidity of those protesting ears 
that her low laugh trilled out uncontrolled ; 
whereat the wood-imp promptly turned what 
seemed a somersault and fled horizontally 
across the undulations of the snow, leaving 
a straight trail of squatty impressions, — 
two long prints bracketing two short prints, 
— each set six feet or more beyond the last. 
Whereupon the low laugh followed him the 
more. 


THE GIRL IN MASSACHUSETTS. 197 

Then the maiden rose, stepped swiftly 
over to the pole, shifted the clog nearer the 
fire, lifted the pole from the further fork, 
and walking in half a circle deposited it in 
another, reset the weight at its former 
mark, and turned to the hanging pot now 
swung far from the fire. With a tiny cup 
of birch-bark transfixed between the prongs 
of a forked stick like an oriole’s nest she 
sampled the broth still bubbling, cooled it 
in the convenient snow-bank, and tasted it ; 
shook her head soberly, and with another 
forked stick, hook-fashion, reached up and 
drew down a wooden bucket from where 
it swung above her head from an elastic 
bough, safe from small marauders. From 
this safe cupboard she produced a bit of 
firm white salt pork, which she cut up into 
small dice and added to the contents of the 
pot with a scientific twirl of a clean sliver 
of shaven pine. Then back swung the pot 
to the fire again, while the maiden glanced 
at the shadow of a sun-dial’s gnomon to 
learn the time. 

That dial was worth looking at for other 
reasons. Its face was a stump, cut squarely 


198 


Morgan’s men. 


level. The hours were chalked ” on it 
with charcoal. The gnomon was the head 
of a woodsman’s narrow-axe driven deep, 
with the unerring stroke of a woodsman, 
perpendicularly into the line which had 
been determined by a sailor eye with a 
seaman’s compass. And it told the time. 

Tiny lines of dots radiated from it in all 
directions across the snows which had fallen 
since its making, as though the wild wood- 
mice in the night had sought to tell by the 
moon when midnight had come and plan 
accordingly their deeds of darkness; or 
perchance they found it a safe watch-tower 
from whence to peer over into the trampled 
hollow, on the wooden hearth of which the 
fire still smoked, in the hope of finding 
around it fallen treasures in the shape of 
crumbs. 

Meanwhile, by day, the woods at inter- 
vals rang with sounds deep set in silence. 
Now the sudden clank of a chain. Occa- 
sionally the tunk of an ox-horn striking 
against the sapling to which the beast was 
tethered near its fellow placidly munching 
hay. Now and then sounds from a yoked 


THE GIRL IN MASSACHUSETTS. 199 

team further away and growing fainter, the 
slow, frosty creak of the sled-runner in the 
crushed snow of the wood-road, the strain- 
ing of the load as the weight of the logs 
shifted them in the passing of the cradle- 
knolls, the sudden cry of Haw ! ” as the 
patient oxen swung in their tugging too far 
to the right and the sled slid scraping 
against a tree-trunk, followed generally by 
the admonitory Gee, Bright 1 ” as in the 
evolution Bright,’^ blowing steam from 
his nostrils against the snow, overstepped 
the middle line leftward and required bring- 
ing back again to central draft. 

And, more often than all, the steady, 
regular stroke of an axeman, uninterrupted 
for many minutes, till it ended in the rush- 
ing roar of a falling tree, snapping and 
crackling through the limbs of others to 
bring up with a loud f-f-fluff ! in the 
snow, — always a sturdy rock-maple, soon 
to be riven with wedge and maul. Men 
then scorned as firewood any other. And 
the axeman was only Squire Hathaway's 
hired man, Caleb Whitcomb, cutting the 
year s supply, which the sturdy squire, with 


200 


Morgan’s men. 


other help, was sledding out as fast as cut, 
and was cording up for drying in places 
more accessible when the winter snows had 
melted. It was far from the town of Bos- 
ton whence the squire had come when the 
occupation by the British dispersed his sea- 
faring friends; and steering his horned 
craft was novel work for an ex-merchant 
of ship-chandlery. But war times make 
changes, and broad-minded men are adapt- 
able to circumstances. It is only the nar- 
row-minded and ill-educated who can do no 
more when ousted from their rut than to 
wring their hands and mourn. 

Back at the fire Pearl Hathaway had 
just added a fresh stock of fuel ; solid 
chunks cut from a blasted pine, as light- 
wood, flanked by sizzling, hissing blocks of 
green maple for lasting heat ; then from a 
birch-bark cubbyhole ” in the heaped snow 
beneath the hemlock barrier she drew out 
a ball of yarn and a half -finished sock, in 
which presently the slender needles were 
knitting swiftly, while the sock grew down- 
ward by slow degrees. It would have 
grown faster, perhaps, had the girl not 


THE GIRL IN MASSACHUSETTS. 201 

taken from some still more secret hiding- 
place a letter, crumpled and weather-stained, 
and closely written, and smoothing its 
paper, laid it softly on a slip of clean bark 
as though it were something precious, and 
read once more its pages as they lay on the 
improvised shelf. That letter had come 
by post rider, by boat, by stage, across the 
long weary miles that lay between the 
Berkshire Hills and Sumter’s camp in far- 
away Carolina. And letters were rare 
things in those days, things to be treasured, 
read and reread, and not then to be thrown 
aside. 

From the southwestward came across the 
snows the steady c-r-r-rump ! c-r-r-ump ! ” 
of a pair of snow-shoes, the wearer of which, 
an elderly man with a pair of keenly brilliant 
eyes, was tramping in a straight line until 
his ear caught the sound of the distant axe 
and his nose the scent of the fire. Halting 
he listened sharply to the one, and sniffed 
hungrily at the other, while his eyes took on 
a brighter look. What luggage he had was 
securely lashed on a moose-sled, which was 
hauled along by a cord ending in a belt 


202 


Morgan’s men. 


over the man’s shoulder. The sled, being 
made with two very thin strips of ash some 
five inches broad, turned backward at the 
nose so that the same strip served as runner 
below and rail above, slid easily along the 
surface. The cross thwarts were fastened 
to the rails by wooden pins, and yielded at 
every yaw among the undulations instead of 
rigidly resisting; hence the vehicle seemed 
in turn to undulate along, following the 
lines of least resistance. 

Thus it was that Pearl Hathaway again 
had poked the fire, had reread her letter, 
had replaced it in its hiding-place, and with 
an odd, tremulous, far-away smile in her 
sensitive, pretty face had taken from thence 
in its turn a well-worn book bound care- 
fully in strong vellum, and from it was 
alternately conning some lesson and drop- 
ping her eyes to her knitting; when a 
shadow fell athwart the hollow and a stran- 
ger glanced down at her with a surprised, 
amused, somewhat disdainful air, which he 
did not take the trouble to conceal as she 
in turn became aware of, and looked up 
quickly at him. 



-"^4 

T> 


V 


/ "* 


/; 


- ^.k 





THE GIRL IN MASSACHUSETTS. 203 

It is a good day, young mistress. Do I 
hear your husband’s axe yonder ? ” 

Why was it that so simple a question 
should send the swift blood coursing to 
Pearl’s oval face, daintily picked out here 
and there as it was with the faint gold-dust 
of a freckle. That is a question which 
might puzzle a sphinx correctly to answer. 
So let ’s leave it to sphinxes. 

That will depend, sir, on who owns the 
axe when I am wedded,” was her prompt 
reply. ^^For the present it is swung by 
Caleb, my father’s man. Do you wish me 
to call him ? ” 

thank you, no, madam; I have no 
errand with him. But by your leave I will 
rest awhile at your well-kept fire and broil 
at it a bit of venison.” 

The man’s figure was alert and wiry; 
but his voice was the voice of age, and from 
his hat a stray hair or two gleamed grey ; 
and leaping to a swift conclusion Pearl laid 
aside her book, and rising, said with simple 
dignity : — 

I pray you take my seat, sir. It is 
warm and comfortable, and you have come 


204 Morgan’s men. 

far. I shall be pleased to attend to the 
venison.” 

Yes/’ replied the visitor, with a swift 
look of surprise. I have come from a dis- 
tance ; but may I ask how you guessed it ? ” 
Easily, sir,” she smiled, as he turned to 
carve a slice from the haunch on his sled. 

The venison is fairly fresh ; yet deer are 
not plenty among these hills.” 

Then, while he sat in silence and watched 
her, she raked out a bed of glowing coals, 
produced a gridiron, and straightway added 
a new and most delectable scent to the 
delicious dining odours of the woods. A 
surprised remark presently caused her to 
look up from her work, and a flash of 
dismay and general discomfort crossed her 
face as she saw that he had coolly taken 
up her book and was turning its pages one 
by one with a most singular expression in 
his eyes. 

Catching her glance, his thin face broke 
into a winning smile that overcame and 
conquered its former cynicism, and with 
soft intonation he quoted from the page 
before him half a dozen lines, beginning, 


THE GIRL IN MASSACHUSETTS. 205 


TovvovfjiaL ere, avacrcra* 0€O9 vv y /8/)o- 
T09 ecrcri ; 

et Tt 9 0€os ecrcri, roi ovpavov evpvv i^ovcriv^ 

rolling out the sonorous hexameters with a 
loving lingeringness, as of one who has met 
by surprise a dear and long-lost friend. 

Pardon me for this liberty which I have 
taken. Yet it is not usual for damsels to 
study Greek at any time. Hence my sur- 
prise at meeting one thus learned here in a 
snowy forest, skilled also in all housewifely 
arts, and yet a maiden still. May I ask an 
explanation ? ” 

Certainly, sir, you may ask — as my 
guest,” — and her visitor, well accustomed 
to good society as he was, felt with unaccus- 
tomed surprise and discomfiture the delicate 
thrust of the ladylike reproof. 

In these long winter days there is much 
leisure, and if brothers will go off to the 
wars they must not be surprised on their 

1 I am your suppliant, princess. Are you some god 
or mortal ? If one of the gods that hold the open sky, to 
Artemis, daughter of mighty Zeus, in beauty, height, and 
bearing I find you likest. 

Homer's Odyssey ^ Book VI. ^ Palmer' s Translation. 


206 Morgan’s men. 

return to find their sisters have read their 
books.” 

The other bowed gravely. wise 

idea, although somewhat novel. Those ab- 
sent will be seeing new things, broadening 
their minds, and on their return will find 
their — sisters have kept pace with them. 
Your name, then, is — Schuyler?” 

His young hostess at the moment had 
transferred the venison to a wooden plate, 
which she was preparing to hand to her 
guest, when he looked up at her and calmly 
made that statement. A wave of crimson 
flashed over her face; a sudden confusion 
of ideas impeded her speech, as she stam- 
mered and faltered in a manner that filled 
her with helpless wrath at herself and at 
the impulse which had led her to reply so 
absurdly, so unguardedly, — 

^^N-no! not — ’’ 

To which her guest with the impoliteness 
of inconsiderate age had smiled quietly and 
completed the reply with the single mono- 
syllable. 

— "Yet!” 

And Pearl ? — Oh, but she was wrathful 


THE GIRL IN MASSACHUSETTS. 207 

— angry ! Her eyes were like stars, and 
her dainty lips compressed to a thin red 
line, as without another word she finished 
her attentions toward the other’s comfort, 
handing him salt, — a rare thing; pepper, 

— still rarer ; a mug of mulled cider, com- 
forting to strangers. Then with a swift 
eye seeing that all things were done and to 
the full, as hostess to guest, she deliberately 
turned her back upon him and crossed to 
the other side of the fire, where for many 
minutes she found duties to do in connec- 
tion with the pot upon the crane and other 
matters, improvised for the occasion. Mean- 
while the other in turn sat provokingly 
silent, smiling provokingly. She could 
have slapped him! 


CHAPTER XV. 


HOW LOKD EGEKTON FOUND THE CHASE OF 

A EEAR-GUARD A TRIFLE PERILOUS. 

A STERN chase is a long chase ! ” 
jr\ So days had passed since first the 
black-eyed British lieutenant-colonel had 
plunged into keen pursuit of his foes that 
were flitting so elusively through the val- 
leys among the hills. Watercourses seemed 
their guides more often than not ; and now 
and then the trail of the continental, like a 
serpent of old, wound deviously in and out 
of the fathomless pools of a swamp. 

Once or twice this happened where the 
experienced chief promptly sent scouts 
around the marsh till they took up the 
track afresh, then the whole force ^pounded 
along at full speed around to the spot and 
lost but little time ; whereupon the trail, like 
a sentient being, as promptly swung off in a 
new direction, and the next swamp crossed 


THE CHASE OF A REAR-GUARD. 209 

was flanked on the one side by a stream 
without a ford, and on the other by woods 
too dense for horsemen ; hence perforce the 
troops had to cross the swamp almost in 
single file, which takes much time with an 
army of eleven hundred men ; while the 
leading scouts never crossed at all, but lay 
in their last sleep about midway among the 
leafy ferns. 

Their comrades left them where they 
fell. But they brought along their horses. 
Also they sent unavailing shots into vari- 
ous little pufls of smoke, puffs as harmless 
as thunder, which wavered as the balls tore 
through them and presently disappeared, 
disclosing a shot-mark or two scoring the 
bark of a tree. If it was a tory bullet the 
mark generally would be about five feet 
up; if British, it was more likely to be 
fifteen. 

Well up with the van, nevertheless, rode 
Lord Egerton, keenly watching for some 
chance to strike. Durgin, the captain, rue- 
fully was riding rearward with his arm in 
a sling and a bandage around his ribs, his 
horse led by a trooper who was himself 

14 


210 


Morgan’s men. 


hardly in better plight. He had halted as 
he reached the provost-guard, saying, — 

My lord, the leftenant-colonel’s compli- 
ments, and you are released from arrest and 
ordered to duty, taking my place with the 
van — and may the Lord give you better 
luck than he has me ! ” 

The young lieutenant’s countenance 
brightened wonderfully as he eagerly 
asked for news. 

News, my lord ? ” smiled the captain, 
grimly, there is n’t any. It ’s just the 
same old story. They are too few to be 
caught, and too vicious to run. They are 
wildcats for fighting, but in their own fash- 
ion, and that is n’t ours.” 

Are you much hurt, sir ? ” 

Well, no. That time luck was on my 
side, after all. It was your friend in yel- 
low on the black. He had two chances, 
and the first I was lucky enough to dodge 
part way, and a hole in my bridle arm re- 
sulted. I was ass enough not to be con- 
tent with that, but must needs ride on again, 
and so give him another sight at me, where- 
upon he promptly lifted me out of my sad- 


THE CHASE OF A REAR-GUAED. 211 


die, and I landed in a bed of mud,” — 
unconscious of the bull. Faith, this was 
surely my day, for the beggar’s powder was 
damp, or my ribs immortally stout, or I 
was just a leetle out of distance, or all three, 
for a cracked rib was all that I got. But 
it was n’t the fault of his aim, I ’ll swear ! 
so look out for yourself, Lef tenant. If he 
gets his eye on you, a guinea to an onion 
that you don’t get my chance to ride back 
to Ninety-Six ! ” 

So like a mastiff slipped from the leash 
the young fellow had dashed forward to his 
place on the danger line, coldly saluting his 
commander as he passed, while Tarleton’s 
teeth gleamed a little in as cold a smile. 
The old friendly cordiality was gone. Each 
knew the other a little better for what he 
was, and their natures were too opposite to 
make that knowledge an aid to further 
friendship. But while the lieutenant was 
saying to himself, This is my duty,” the 
lieutenant-colonel was reflecting, Those 
fiends of the swamp shoot extremely well, 
and perhaps Durgin’s loss on the whole was 
opportune.” 


212 


Morgan’s men. 


It is not recorded that the blameless 
chief was familiar with the Scriptures, in 
spite of his Old Testament ” ways of war- 
fare ; and perhaps David’s oriental arrange- 
ments respecting his valiant captain Uriah 
did not occur to him. But they did to Lord 
Egerton; and calling unto him the leader 
of the tory scouts, he acquired therefrom 
various hints of conduct of great practical 
utility ; and thereafter for a day, whenever 
he moved forward through a swamp, it was 
on foot. Whenever he saw within sprint- 
ing distance three trees from practically 
the same root — a frequent arrangement of 
nature — he made a dart for them, and 
from such locations made his more lengthy 
outlooks. Whereby presently he roused to 
unseemly profanity sundry men in green 
uniforms, dingy and rain-spotted, and 
caused them some little unprofitable waste 
of lead. 

See hyar, Cap’n,” said one of them, at 
length. That skunk in the red jacket ’s 
got a charm that ’ll turn a bullet. Sile 
Turnipseed, Rube Yadkin, ’n’ I ’ve all had 
our turns at him this day, and durned if we 


THE CHASE OF A REAR-GUARD. 213 

kin hit hm, nohow. An' yet, the scamp 
knows altogether too much to be left around 
loose. Hit 's dangerous-like. Yo ’d better 
hev' a try." 

So, presently, the daring lieutenant sud- 
denly saw a great light as he peered warily 
from his three trees. The earth came up 
behind and smote him with a crash, and 
yet, somehow, he heard the crash before 
the blow. Then, some time later, he woke 
up to the fact that he was lying calmly on 
his back, looking up at the blue sky from 
under the brim of his head-gear, and at a 
deep score across the trunk of the central 
tree just about two inches above what had 
been the level of his eyes. His comprehen- 
sion dawning like a slow-coming day, he 
searched, and presently found a companion 
score along the side of his own head, where 
the ball with deadened force had given him 
a welt which he was likely to remember for 
some time. And past him were filing troops 
with hurrying tread of eager horses. Also 
he was assisted in his grasp of the situation 
by seeing the grim face of his escort ser- 
geant eclipsing the view heavenward and 


214 


Morgan’s men. 


felt that his own head was being supported 
on a friendly knee. 

Eh ? what ? where ? who ? hah ? ” he 
remarked lucidly, winking rapidly and 
nestling down with a comfortable little 
wiggle inside his uniform, much like a dis- 
turbed chrysalis within a cocoon. Who 
struck me ? What is it ? ” 

It is war, my lord ! ” was the senten- 
tious reply, as the relieved sergeant whipped 
partly erect and whisked away in haste a 
tear which was wholly surprised at its own 
advent in a country so foreign to all of its 
kind ; while the stern, soldierly mouth 
beneath lost its martial rigidity in a smile 
so full of relief and happiness that the face 
to which it belonged looked positively 
human. 

^^War in a swamp, an’ Injun fightin’. 
The Leftenant got a spent ball along the 
side of his head from that devil in yellow. 
If he ever falls into our hands, as the Lord 
lives, we ’ll roast him alive ! ” 

The lieutenant sat up and brushed frag- 
ments of bark out of his hair. Nonsense, 
Sergeant! You know better than to say 


THE CHASE OF A REAR-GUARD. 215 


that. He ’s a brave fellow, and is doing his 
duty as he sees it, like a soldier. As you 
said yourself, this is war. And if we live 
through it and ever have to fight, ourselves, 
as a rear-guard, we shall do well to remem- 
ber the lessons in that business that he is 
teaching us this day. Where’s the firing 
line ? I don’t hear shots.” 

Miles ahead, by this time, sir. The 
rear-guard with the wounded are already 
in sight. Shall I find the Leftenant a place 
in a cart ? ” 

Cart be hanged. No ! Give me a 
hand up. Sergeant. There ! ” — straddling 
dizzily for a moment till his eyes got their 
bearings again. I ’m all right. Come 
on. My place is in the vanguard ; ” and in 
spite of ventured expostulation and a head- 
ache of much size the vigorous young fellow 
caught up his sword from the moss and 
started off at a rapid lope along the water- 
course which bordered the route just here, 
blithely answering surprised recognitions 
from brother officers who last had seen 
him flat among the ferns. As the labouring 
sergeant afterward reported to his friends, 


216 


Morgan’s men. 


^^The leftenant went ahead as though he 
was born jumpin’, and been at it ever since.” 

There was a lull in the warfare as he 
reached the front. Not an enemy was in 
sight, and the colonel himself had dis- 
mounted and sat upon a huge log, sheltered 
from hostile view by still larger tree-trunks. 

Eh ? you are not a ghost, Leftenant ? 
Sit down and share my rations,” he said, 
with a cordiality that surprised himself as 
well as the lieutenant. Repentance some- 
times comes to a man for evil thoughts 
and deeds before it is too late, — not often 
enough, however, to count upon. And 
Tarleton was genuinely glad, after all, to 
see the aide still in good fighting order. 
Besides, it was one man more for his com- 
mand, and even men counted now, as well 
as horses. 

I see we have halted, sir ; ” and Lord 
Egerton accepted the situation and the 
ration, of which last he was particularly 
glad just then. 

Must ! the nags are tired, and there is 
grass enough for a bite around this glade. 
— Pluto! bring me that bottle from my 


THE CHASE OF A REAR-GUAED. 217 

saddle-bags, and don’t break it as you 
value your neck! — The men must eat, 
too. Besides, we can afford it. We must 
be gaining on them, — but here comes Pluto. 
Lef tenant — to his Majesty the King, and 
may his enemies all stretch hemp 1 ” 

In after days Lord Egerton often thought 
of that bivouac on the warm trail of their 
elusive foe ; the weary horses eagerly gath- 
ering what comfort they could from the 
grasses that still showed green and rank 
along the stream, the men, regardless of 
dampness, stretched out luxuriously, star- 
ing up at the moss-bearded boughs between 
bites, and as indifferent to war matters as 
though upon a picnic, all save the ever 
watchful picket-guard. Aside from the 
low hum of the force that lay in a long line 
along the winding stream the woods were 
singularly silent. 

The rebels seem to have had enough of 
it. Colonel. You have chased them often, — 
do they usually put up so good a fight 
while on the run?” 

^^No, I believe not; but there’s a differ- 
ence. This time they’ve some uncom- 


218 


mokgan’s men. 


monly skilful scamp in charge. Then, too, 
we cannot move fast enough here, with our 
large force, to give them a panic ; and we 
cannot yet detach a swift platoon or two 
and give them a benefit, for there are too 
many of them. You may not know it, 
Leftenant, but the trail shows that they 
have been joined by some good-sized parties 
since we started. But these everlasting 
hills must come to an end somewhere and 
give us good riding ground ; and then will 
be our time to make a dash for them and 
flesh our steel. Don’t fear, my lord ! you ’ll 
see service enough yet to warrant your rid- 
ing with Tarleton. We have hardly begun 
as yet.” 

The earl foresaw this,” said the lieu- 
tenant, thoughtfully, forgetting for the 
moment to attack his ration. He thought 
it more than likely, sir, that as we chased 
them through the hills they would be 
joined by armed bands of mountaineers 
until they might possibly become quite too 
strong for us.” 

^^Pooh! nonsense! The more they are, 
the more they ’ll get in each other’s way and 


THE CHASE OF A KEAK-GUARD. 219 


serve our turn ! ” retorted the senior officer, 
placing the bottle to his lips once more most 
heartily for a goodly number of seconds. 

gathering army would become dan- 
gerous, no doubt ; but a gathering of coun- 
trymen with no discipline among them worth 
speaking of is like a bringing of sheep to the 
shambles where the butchers are ready.’’ 

The lieutenant winced at that. It was 
brutal, and jarred against his finer nature. 
So he held his peace for some minutes. 

I fancy the earl had Ferguson’s fate in 
mind, sir,” he remarked presently. ^‘It 
was just such a chase and a gathering of 
clans that caught him at King’s Mountain. 
That was why he insisted on Leslie’s keep- 
ing within supporting distance of us.” 

^‘If he is — ’’retorted the other with a 
short laugh. I have n’t troubled my head 
much about his whereabouts. I suppose he 
is in the woods somewhere to the southeast. 
We shall not need him, but it will give his 
men good practice in marching to try to 
keep up with us. As to the clans you 
speak of, do not forget, sir, that it was 
their habit ever to run toward Ferguson, 


220 


Morgan’s men. 


and to run from Tarleton. And it is Tarle- 
ton who is after them now, — which re- 
minds me, — Trumpeter ! sound ^ boots and 
saddles.’ Leftenant, if you feel equal to 
it, I shall be glad to have you return to the 
van. But take care of yourself. When I 
deemed you were down I found you were 
one that I missed,” — and he extended a 
friendly hand to the younger officer, who 
took it in surprise and some contrition on 
his own account. After all, both were 
fighting in their own way for their King, 
against a common enemy. Perhaps it 
would not do to be too particular in regard 
to each other’s way. 

The men in the leading files were un- 
feignedly glad to see him. Nothing cheers 
the heart of the private more than the 
knowledge that his officer is with him 
shoulder to shoulder, and sharing danger 
alike with good fortune, and here was one 
whom they had seen laid low, and yet 
pluckily forging to the firing-line once more. 
The leader of the scouts came up to him, 
saluting. 

’Pears like they ’ve all cleared out, Lef- 


THE CHASE OF A REAR-GUARD. 221 

tenant. We-uns haven’t got a shot for 
hours.” 

wonder why? They don’t seem to 
be the men to do that without cause.” 

^^Er reckon not,” drawled the other, 
with a glint in his eyes. Fer one thing, 
thar’s more on ’em now, so they can’t git 
along so fast ; so they want ter keep more 
swamp between us than befo’. They’ve 
got a good head to the gang, I ’ll say that 
for ’em ; an’ I ’m beginnin’ ter believe that 
we ’ll ketch up with ’em sometime, but it ’ll 
be jist when they-uns are got good ’n’ ready, 
’n’ not afore. Me ’n’ my men hev’ been a- 
trailin’ a good bit ahead, ’n’ I ’d like the 
Lef tenant ter kim out with me yawnduh. 
Thar’s sumthin’ thar I’d like ter show ’im.” 

With an inquiring look. Lord Egerton 
readjusted his sword-belt, borrowed a rifle 
from a ranger, and started forward. 

Yo ’ll hardly need thet gun, this time ; 
an’ yet I ’d know. Yo’ moughter. Kain’t 
nowise tell, jist.” 

The lieutenant’s military eye took in at 
once the lay of the ground beyond the knoll 
they were crossing. Evidently it had been 


222 


Morgan’s men. 


a camping ground for a considerable force, 
more conveniently chosen than their own 
last resting place. Here on the knoll were 
traces of outpost duty ; ashes of a fire in a 
hollow where it would not be seen ; a tree- 
trunk near, carved with runes of the his- 
toric age, a particularly befeathered Indian 
armed with scalping-knife and tomahawk 
falling in weird stifi-leggedness before the 
onslaught of what seemed meant for a back- 
woodsman in a cocked hat ; a semblance of 
a gallows, from whence swung an individual 
with huge epaulets, and a queue, beneath 
which for identification the learned wizard 
had first inscribed Corn,” then partly 
erased it and began again with TAR, 
which in turn had been left unfinished for 
other business. Nor were gentler thoughts 
absent. On a smooth spot was inscribed a 
huge heart surrounding significant letters, — 



THE CHASE OF A REAE-GUARD. 223 


although who the absent Sally” was 
there was no sign to say. All these were 
so written that he who ran might read. 
But a little apart from the rest, by so much 
distance as might mark the space between 
the halting-places of an officer and his men, 
three trees grew together; and with a 
caution now already habit the lieutenant 
glanced that way and spied, half hidden, 
another heart, delicately carved in the 
smooth bark of a sapling that thrust itself 
thither ; and within its outline two sets of 
initials, — 



All of which clearly was not war, and 
they gave a certain lieutenant in His Ma- 
jesty’s army odd thoughts, mainly located 
in far away Devonshire across the broad 
seas. But they were not what the scout- 
master had brought him up to see. 


224 


Morgan’s men. 


If the Leftenant ’ll look thar he ’ll see 
whar the fires were last night ; ’n’ if he 
counts he’ll see that we’ve rolled ’em up 
like a blanket inter quite a sizable bundle 
o’ men. Er reckon thar ’s all o’ six hun- 
derd camped yere. ’N’ another thing. Kim 
here a minute. Jest feel o’ them ashes. 
Leftenant, this here was a hull little army 
— most big enough to fight we-uns — ’n’ 
them ashes not five hours old ! ” 

And Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton’s eyes 
glowed with the old tigerish battle-light 
once more, when in turn by the lieutenant 
it was told to him. 

We ’ll have them, now, before another 
sun ! ” 


CHAPTER XVI. 


HOW STUART AND THE REAR-GUARD CAME 
IN TO REPORT. 



^HERE were greetings in plenty as 


i Colonel Washington and his troop 
rode into the bivouac of Morgan, just after 
the fires were lighted. It was a larger 
force by quite a number than when they 
had left it. Many an old comrade shouted 
a welcome to one and another among the 
men and hospitably proffered a first bite at 
a slice of hot bacon, or a nibble at a cold 
pone, while the leader of the partisans made 
his way onward to report. 

Sile, yo’ oT turnip, howdy ? ’’ 

Rube, what for yo’ got yo’ haid a- 
soakin’ V — thus impolitely referring to 
the bandage around the swampman’s brows. 

Hey, Gavin ! is the fightin’ good ? 
Climb down hyar an’ tell we-uns all about 


it.” 


15 


226 


Morgan’s men. 


How fur oE is Tarleton ? ” 

And that, after all, was the one impor- 
tant question which all wanted answered 
then and there, at Morgan’s fire and at the 
sputtering logs around which Ike Yocum, 
and fringed and tasselled mountaineers like 
him, squatted ; and at both, practically, the 
same answer came. 

We ’ve toled him on, an’ stood him off 
an’ made things interestin’ like, about as 
long as it’ll pay. We did n’t have ter gifc 
his mad up any, cos he keeps that a-bub- 
blin’ right along ; but the bubbles are ’bout 
ready ter kick by now. An’ he ain’t half a 
day behind. Come a streak o’ good country 
an’ he an’ his fore-guard ’ll ride right inter 
us.” 

Sho ! We-uns ain’t quite ready for 
that, seems if ! ” and there were sober looks 
cast around the fires. 

That so ? Oh, well, then ther cap’n 
and some more of us ’ll hev ter ride back 
a piece an’ take it up agin. But we ’ll hev 
some o’ that bacon fust. Any o’ you-uns 
what ain’t too tired mought give our nags 
a rub down for us, er reckon.” 


HOW STUART CAME IN TO REPORT. 227 

Right, fellers ! ’’ and hospitable hands 
grasped the reins and made room for the 
weary raiders. 

How ’d the cap’n turn out, Sile ; good 
fer anythin’ ? ” 

Ask Rube. I ’m a-yeatin’ ! ” and Silas 
Turnipseed engulfed a section of pig of a 
size suitable for one of his longitude. 

How about it. Rube ? ” 

Thunder ! No feller has any business 
ter ride with Mm what kain’t fight like a 
she-bar ’n’ hang on like a possum to a 
gum-tree ! I kim so nigh ter Tarleton 
hisself that I smelt brimstone. Lay thar 
right under his nose, with my boss dead an’ 
a crease along my head big enough ter lay 
your leetle finger in, an’ jist sense enough 
left ter drop behind the saddle an’ try fer a 
last shot, with the other fellers goin’ it 
like streaks. 

Ther cap’n looks round an’ begins ter 
count noses. Yer kin tell mine as far as 
yer kin see it, an’ he could n’t see it. 
^ Whar ’s Rube ? ’ says he. ^ Knocked over,’ 
says somebody. Next minnit, durn my 
skin if he didn’t come across the sa- 


228 


MORGANS MEN. 


vanna a-skimmin’ like a hawk, an’ fore I 
knew what was up I was being a-toted like 
a pickaninny back ter the boys, an’ that ar 
black boss on a dead run at that. I never 
heerd tell o’ sich a thing in all my life, and 
sartinly never expected to be one in such a 
muss, ’n’ I don’t want ter be agin. 

Let me tell yer what, fellers, — don’t yer 
ever git inter no scrap with that cap’n. He 
don’t wear a huntin’-shirt fer nothin’. He ’s 
got a grip wusser than a bar. It ’s ekal ter 
a bar-trap. I kin show ye ther marks o’ that 
grip somewheres on my hide yit. But I ’ll 
tell yer what, fellers, that Tartar ’s a 
boss ! ! ! — An’ er reckon the cap’n ’s clean 
good enough fer Tartar. An’ when it comes 
ter shootin’ he ’s jist ther deadest shot that 
ever was ; an’ there ain’t one of us fellers 
in that lot that rode out with him what 
wouldn’t foller him right inter Charlest’n 
if he said so ; an’ we ’d hev a right ter 
expect ter kim out in our own saddles, too, 
I ’ll tell yer what ! ! ” 

The light of another fire was shining 
brilliantly up among the branches of a 
giant hickory, making their shadows the 


HOW STUART CAME IN TO REPORT. 229 

blacker by the contrast, while in a sheltered 
nook which its warmth pervaded, General 
Morgan sat as diligently at work on his 
rations as the humblest man in the troops. 
And like him, his rations consisted of cold 
pone and hot bacon, while in quantity it 
might well be improved. 

‘^Well, Colonel?’’ was his prompt ques- 
tion, as Colonel Washington dismounted 
and saluted. 

“ The British are about half a day behind 
us. General. Thus far they have kept in a 
pretty compact force, so all we could do was 
to make them come on with some caution 
and as slowly as possible. Half a day off 
for their footmen, of course; an hour of 
hard riding for my troop. They were in 
camp when we left, and we rode ahead for 
a safer place to bivouac, not knowing that 
we should find you so near.” 

The general’s eager face clouded. 

Too near ; altogether too near, as yet. 
Men come in slowly. Colonel. We are far 
from strong enough to fight a battle. And 
yet this retreating business is utterly hate- 
ful work. Oh for one more regiment of the 


230 


Morgan’s men. 


line like those Maryland men ! I must 
send you back again, Colonel, with fresh 
men, after you are rested. Tarleton must 
be delayed until we are a little stronger and 
in a better place to fight. I have hopes — 
I have hopes ! ” — and he broke ofi abruptly, 
his eyes taking an eager, far-away look, 
as though already he could see the land of 
promise and his men in battle array. 

If you do not mind. General, I will 
keep the men I have. They know their 
work.” 

^^As you please — if they can stand it. 
How about that captain ? ” 

The best man in the country for what 
we have to do,” was the prompt reply. 

The general lifted his head and stared 
full at the speaker across the fire. 

The colonel took up the silent challenge. 

“I mean it, sir. Marion himself could 
have done no better and might prove less 
subordinate. For guard-work at the rear 
of a retreating army, delaying the enemy, 
keeping his own men in good cheer, and 
saving them from loss, I have never seen 
his equal in the lower ranks. And he is 


now STUART CAME IN TO REPORT. 231 

modest about it to a fault. I tried to find 
out where he learned it all, but could get 
nothing out of him save a remark that no 
man could be a private for years under 
General Washington without learning some- 
thing. He was entirely right, there ! ” — 
and the colonel reverently lifted his head- 
gear. 

Morgan gave a half-dissatisfied Hum ! ” 
Then — “ You feel sure that he is true ? ’’ 

^Ht is my belief. General, that it would 
be safer to charge a troop of tories single- 
handed than to ask that question doubt- 
ingly in the hearing of the men of the 
rear-guard. We know he is true, as you 
will, when you see him fight.” 

“Well,” said the general, drily, “ITl 
wait till then.” 

Thus ran the talk across and around two 
fires, where those who were led and those 
who led held converse ; but there was yet 
another fire around which dwelt those who 
filled both roles as occasion served, and 
where the greeting was to the full as hearty 
as the one, and less full of care than the 
other, as Stuart strode up to it after a 


232 


Morgan’s men. 


good-night pat to his horse^ and found him- 
self shaking hands heartily with Major 
Burnet and others, lieutenants and captains. 

Welcome, lad ! thrice welcome,” cried 
the major, cheerily. Pone and bacon are 
thine, and more ! for we can share with you 
what is not elsewhere to be found in this 
little army, to wit, pone and possum ! 
What have you been doing ? ” 

Riding, Major. Hunting men as one 
hunts a too great pack of wolves. Giving 
them something to think of when they 
came too fast, and going slowly when they 
stopped to think. It is discouraging work, 
entre nous. I had hoped it was over, but 
we found you too soon; probably we will 
have to go back again. So that is possum ! 
It smelled so good that I travelled upwind 
for ten rods to find which fire it came from. 
What have you been doing ? ” 

What have n’t we ? Let me see, how 
is it in the classics somewhere ? ^ As when 
a lion strikes a caravan and rends the 
fallen oxen, and lays waste and terror 
through the frightened camp, until the 
herdsmen snatch their gleaming swords and 


HOW STUART CAME IN TO REPORT. 233 

with long spears form a living hedge of 
sharpened points; then he, the conqueror, 
angry and sullen at the need, draws off and 
leaves his prey, and, growling fiercely, stalks 
on toward his lair, casting grim glances oft 
from side to side ; and now he halts as one 
in mind to charge, then at the raised shout 
of — of gathering guards he starts anew, 
but slowly, on the chance that one more 
venturesome than others be beguiled and 
come within the reach of spring and claw.' 
So we." 

There was a shout of laughter as the 
major ceased his exposition and applied 
himself vigorously to a possum-rib. 

Whereabouts in the classics do you find 
that. Major ? CaBsar ? Or is it a free ren- 
dering after Virgil — a long way after?" 
came the ready jibe from a college-bred 
lieutenant, with his arms full of fuel for 
the fire. 

It does n’t matter where, men," laughed 
a burly captain. The major has hit the 
mark squarely in the bull. The best shot 
alive couldn’t better it. General Morgan 
has been growing madder and madder with 


234 


Morgan’s men. 


every step he retreats; and every time a 
party joins us his eyes light up and he half 
halts, and counts heads, and then with 
most almighty slowness concludes we are 
not yet strong enough to whip a force as 
large again as we are, and the danger is 
over for that time. But I would bet two 
darkies — if there was one left on the plan- 
tation — that he won’t wait for an even 
match, but will give Tarleton odds when he 
gets good and ready.” 

“Do you suppose Cornwallis will have 
anything to say about that?” commented 
another. 

^^Why should he?” asked the major, 
pausing, rib in hand, “corn-cob fashion.” 
“ According to the plan. General Greene is 
to look out for him.” 

“ Plans get mixed sometimes.” 

“ His don’t ! ” replied the major, emphati- 
cally, — “at least, not nowadays. Or if 
they don’t carry through, somehow he 
seems to get what he is after just the 
same. I for one shall lose no sleep over 
that.” 

“ I did think that we would have made 


HOW STUART CAME IN TO REPORT. 235 

a stand at the Pacolet/’ observed some- 
body, ^^but I suppose it was too near 
Cornwallis.” 

Rather,” replied the major. Besides, 
there are too many fords and there were 
not enough of us. Tarleton might have 
flanked us on both sides. We did not 
know then just where he would cross in 
force. That ’s where young Brent and 
Twing went — to watch different fords and 
bring news if any.” 

We ought to have kept General David- 
son with us,” grumbled Captain Young, 
whose iron-grey hair belied his name. 

That Indian scare that took him off home 
with his men was all a British humbug.” 

^^Very like, very like. But that’s part 
of the game. A diversion at the rear is 
always effective, and if a redcoat general 
can’t spare regulars for it he’s willing to 
take tory ; if he has n’t tories then he tries 
Indians. It ’s a frightful thing to a man 
to hear that redskins are let loose to butcher 
his family, so don’t blame Davidson or his 
men. But after all it never pays, in the 
end. I venture to say that it was the en- 


236 


Morgan’s men. 


listment of Indian allies that ruined Bur- 
goyne. But for that he might — possibly 

— have been allowed to march clear to 
Albany. As it was, he set the whole coun- 
try in a flame that consumed him. And, 
after all, his Indians did n’t fight worth a 
continental.” 

“It seems to me,” remarked Captain 
Young, reflectively, “ they did fight, some- 
times, and to deadly purpose, too. Take 
Braddock, now. Of course that was a long 
time ago. But have n’t we somebody here 
from the North who can tell us at first 
hand about later affairs ? ” 

“ How about that, Schuyler ? ” demanded 
the major. “You’ve seen service there. 
Ever have any Indian fighting ? ” 

“ Rather,” replied Stuart, quietly. “ I 
was at Oriskany.’' 

“ Tell us about it. Much of a fight ? 
Did they stand ? ” 

“ I ’ve seen nothing like it in the war, 
and never want to again. I was a private, 
then. Thayendanegea, — J oseph Brant was 
his English name — he is a Mohawk chief, 

— caught General Herkimer and about eight 


now STUART CAME IN TO REPORT. 237 

hundred of us in an ambush, at the bottom of 
a ravine. The Indians came with a rush at 
our rear, while a large force of tories struck 
the van. And right over all, in the midst 
of the fighting, came a most awful thunder- 
storm that wet our powder, and it was 
bayonet and tomahawk, let me tell you! 
We stood them off, but I Ve seen no fight- 
ing like it since. Stony Point was as 
nothing to it. And they fought us to a 
standstill. 

We were bound to Fort Stanwix, then 
besieged ; and we had to give it up, and go 
back short a third of us and our general 
down. He died later. I heard afterward 
that the plan was for Colonel Gansevoort 
to make a sortie from the fort, as arranged 
by messenger, while we were to come up at 
the enemy’s rear ; but the messengers did n’t 
get in in time, and we did not wait for the 
signal as we should have done. It was not 
so bad as it might have been, after all ; for 
the colonel heard the firing, guessed what 
had happened, and made his sortie with 
brilliant success, sent tories and redskins 
fiying, and brought into the fort over twenty 


238 Morgan’s men. 

cartloads of arms and other spoil, including 
five British fiags ; and it took a deal of life 
out of the siege from that time on. But 
that did not give us back our general, nor 
the men who were lost, nor me the years 
it scared out of me. Since then, if only a 
pine-cone falls, I know the reason why 
before I drop the matter.” 

Why, Schuyler ! I had no idea that 
you had seen that sort of service ! No 
wonder the general sent you out to watch 
Tarleton. It is just the work for a good 
Indian fighter.” 

Stuart smiled slightly, and looked at the 
fire. 

hardly think that was the reason. 
Major,” he observed, after a pause. 

Why not ? 

Because he never heard of it.” 

Humph ! ” grunted the major, slightly 
discomfited, and then, returning to the 
charge : - — 

^^Well, if that is so, all I can say is, 
that I have still more respect for General 
Morgan’s good eye for a man ! ” — to which 
Stuart made no reply, but continued gaz- 


HOW STUART CAME IN TO REPORT. 239 

ing at the fire; but all the while he was 
thinking, — 

wonder what the major would say 
about that if he knew that the general 
practically ordered me shot ! ” 


CHAPTER XVII. 


HOW THE REAR-GUARD AND STUART 
WATCHED FOR TARLETON. 

S OMEBODY once asked a soldier wliat 
was his hardest duty, to which he re- 
plied without any hesitation whatever, — 
Getting up in the morning ! ” 

One lies down to rest, rolled in his 
blanket, if he has one, weary with march- 
ing, aching with fatigue, and falls off into 
a dreamless sleep. Some ten seconds after, 
according to the sleeper s arithmetic, he is 
roughly shaken and sits stupidly erect to 
find the stars still shining, the ground cov- 
ered with a rime of white frost that out- 
lines the folds of his blanket, his limbs 
stiff and grumbling at every joint, and no 
enthusiasm for fighting in his soul. And 
by and by, in its own good time, the sun 
gets up and thaws things. 


THE WATCH FOR TARLETON. 241 

Stuart’s little squad were old hunters to 
a man, but even they grumbled and growled 
audibly at their early start that morning, 
Gavin Paynt being almost the only one 
who took a cheerful view of matters. 

’T ain’t so really bad, er reckon,” he 
urged, when yo’ come ter look into it.” 

That ’s what Satan said o’ Purgatory,” 
snapped Ike Yocum, angrily stamping some 
life into a benumbed foot. It all depends 
on the pint o’ view. Now he was accus- 
tomed ter wuss.” 

Gavin eyed him attentively. 

Let ’s see : er reckon I ’ve met yo’ befo’. 
Name is Yocum, ain’t it ? ” 

Right.” 

Thought so. Yo ’re richer ’n’ When I 
saw yo’ last.” 

How ’s that ? ” and the hunter looked 
up suspiciously. 

Why, by that valley farm that ’s yourn.” 

Mine ? Why, what ’s come to them 
others ? ” demanded Yocum, excitedly. 

There was four brothers ter hev it ’fore 
it come to me ! ” 

All gone. Bob he had a misery in the 
16 


242 


Morgan’s men. 


chest. Jake had a difficulty with some 
tories and fired too slow. The Injuns got 
Pete. An’ as fer Jim — he was the only 
one that died wot yo’ mought call a nateral 
death.” 

Eh ? What ’came of him ? ” 

He was hung for hoss-stealin’.” 

The shout of laughter resulting awoke 
them all up to take a brighter view of life, 
while Yocum joined in the laugh and medi- 
tated a deep and deadly revenge against 
Gavin as soon as he could think out the 
details. As to the four departed relatives, 
they and the valley farm alike were prod- 
ucts of the imagination in a game of wits. 
But it served. 

We do not march with the rest, boys,” 
said Stuart, coming hastily to their fire, 
so you need not hurry your breakfast.” 

What are we-uns ter do, Cap’n ? ” asked 
Rube Yadkin, respectfully. 

Keep an eye to the rear, the same as 
yesterday. We are only a day’s march 
from the Broad, and if we are caught this 
side of it before we can ford there will be 
trouble.” 


THE WATCH FOR TARLETON. 243 

That ’s so, Cap’n, shore ! But it ’s a 
lovely kentry round thar for a fight, an’ if 
only we could git more men ! Hit ’s a great 
place fer cattle, or was, afore the war.” 

Stuart nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps 
we can still delay matters till men can 
come to us,” he said. And after the 
little army with wondrously slight bustle 
had packed up its few belongings, and 
with no lagging stride was well on its way 
toward the Broad, he bade his men mount, 
reinforced by a few fresh comrades from 
the mountain men, and leading them at a 
swift gallop along the back track wherever 
the riding admitted it, he found opportunity 
to give Tarleton’s vanguard something to 
think of for hours which Morgan was using 
to the utmost profit miles away. Then the 
firing ceased, and back they came as fast as 
they went, and as far as their former camp- 
ing ground. 

Stuart halted them at a little knoll, which 
seemed the best spot for an outlook that he 
was likely to find, and the horses were 
lightly hobbled in a little grassy hollow 
beyond. 


244 


Morgan’s men. 


It became very still where had been 
tramp of hoofs and rustle of garments. At 
a word from Stuart, the men of the guard 
took up their position in a sheltered spot 
between two cradle-knolls, masked from the 
south by a clump of low spruces, through 
whose boughs their own view was not at 
all obstructed. There, in easy attitudes of 
comfort, they watched as patiently as hun- 
ters at a deer-lick. And the hours rolled by. 

Stealthily around the deserted camp- 
ground the small denizens of the forest 
ventured. The querulous, harsh scream 
of a porcupine came, once and again, from 
the heart of it, and the castanet-like rattle 
of his teeth. Then — oh, joy! he found 
among the leaves a lost bit of bacon ; and 
thenceforth his life was one long wonder- 
ment as to when and where he was likely 
to find another. For blissful minutes he 
had been in paradise. 

Busily flitting from fire to fire, a couple of 
jays quarrelled over pone crumbs, and leaped 
aside with looks askant as under the dry 
leaves another crumb-lover made a sudden 
dart, secured the prize, and vanished, leav- 


THE WATCH FOR TARLETON. 245 

ing the fighters to meditate over lost oppor- 
tunity and the benefits of peace. 

Up on the knoll, so near that Stuart 
could have covered him with his hand, a 
fawn-coloured deermouse peered cannily 
out of a round hole at the bottom of a 
funnel in the leaves, and stretching out his 
neck, with cautious sniffs and quivering 
whiskers, stole inch by inch into daylight. 
Presently sitting up, he rapidly rubbed his 
nose with two white paws like fairy hands, 
and looked up confidingly into Stuart’s 
face. The latter would not have stirred 
suddenly for worlds, lest he frighten away 
his guest ; but with his free hand inch by 
inch he reached his haversack, and with 
the same caution brought to light a few 
crumbs, which one by one he snapped en- 
ticingly before his mouseship, until with 
confidence gained the little wood-spirit was 
dining sumptuously from a store of them 
that lay in the hollow of a soldier’s hand ; 
all of which did not prevent the owner of 
it from casting a long look southward at • 
five-minute intervals. 

But such pleasures were for the educated 


246 


Morgan’s men. 


soul, content to restrain the instinctive de- 
sire to kill common to all animals that prey, 
and glad instead to have the opportunity to 
take pleasure in the graceful poise, the 
lovely colouring, and the trust and confi- 
dence of this lilliputian of the wilderness. 
The swampmen had no such resource to 
fall back on, and time lay heavy on their 
hands. 

We-uns mought hev a game o’ seven-up,” 
suggested Ike Yocum, tentatively toying 
with a package which to those long familiar 
with it was recognisable as a pack of cards 
— and, it must be said, as easily read by 
them back side as front side. 

Nary ! ” and Gavin shook his head. 

Why not?” 

Twar keerds that let us give that picket 
o’ Tarleton’s sich a joyful s’prise, over 
yawnduh. ’T would look kinder pretty 
now, wouldn’t it, if we-uns went and did 
the same fool thing an’ let them creep up 
on us.” 

^^We kin keep a lookout an’ play too, 
er reckon.” 

Not in this squad, Ike, yo’ can’t. Ther 


THE WATCH FOR TARLETON. 247 


cap’n, thar, fer all he ’s so young-lookin’, has 
trained in ther reg’lar army, an’ knows 
what’s what as well as ther next man. 
My land ! yo’ orter seen ther way he drilled 
them Maryland men in Gineral Greene’s 
camp ! That company he had was ther 
stiddiest in the hull army. Fer all he ’s 
a-lookin’ off so sorter dreamy like, an’ 
takin* no notice, the fust deal round yo ’d 
hear from him, sho’ ! An’ if yo’ want 
ter see just how asleep he mought be, 
break that bit o’ twig thar, an’ you ’ll find 
out.” 

With a grin the unbelieving Yocum picked 
up a dry stick and snapped it between his 
fingers. On the instant came the stern, 
low call, audible but a rod or two away : — 
Quiet, there, men ! I had thought you 
were all hunters.” 

And when the low chuckles had subsided, 
Yocum shook his shockyhead threateningly 
at Gavin Paynt, saying, — 

I ’ll lick yo’ fer that, Gavin, as soon as 
we cross ther Broad.” 

Then, by way of consolation, he drew his 
hunting-knife and began to ornament the 


248 


Morgan’s men. 


nearest tree, looking curiously at the cap- 
tain, who seemed to be doing likewise, from 
time to time. Suddenly he noted that the 
young officer’s occupation had ceased, and 
although he had not changed his position 
there was in his pose an air of intense 
attention. Then the others turned in sur- 
prise to find the velvet-footed captain stand- 
ing over them. 

Gavin, where are your ears ? ” 

The native shot erect and alert, and lis- 
tened intently. 

can’t hear nothin,’ Cap’n,” he said; 
and the other listeners said likewise. 

^^Well, I can; and you will soon. 
They ’re coming at last ! ” 

Sho’ enough,” said Eube Yadkin, pres- 
ently. Hit ’s more a tremble nor a sound, 
tho’. Ho ! what ’s that rumble ? ” 

Artillery, Yadkin,” said Stuart. Tarle- 
ton has some light guns with him, and 
he has brought them up from the rear. 
Let me see! The rumble isn’t massed 
enough to be many, nor clear enough to 
be but one. Probably he has two or three 
only.” 


THE WATCH FOR TARLETON. 249 

Is that why he comes on so slow like, 
Cap’n ? I thought Tarleton allers went 
like a harricane/' 

^^Not this time, Yocum. He couldn’t 
raise eleven hundred horses in all the Caro- 
linas just now. A good share of his force 
must be infantry, — probably the larger 
share. And if my ears and eyes don’t de- 
ceive me they are going into camp beyond 
that swamp ! It ’s a good place, for they 
can’t be rushed on three sides at least. 
Turnipseed, you and Yocum slip down and 
saddle up while we wait a little and see 
how far their outposts come. — Ah ! there 
they are. They ’re prompt. Tories, by 
their dress — and their promptness, too. 
Never mind, they ’re bound to rest, for they 
must be weary after all that marching since 
we last struck them. Now, boys, steal 
away quietly ! We won’t have to burn 
powder to-night. The longer they stay 
there the better we’ll like it!” 

And quietly as ghosts they glided from 
tree to tree. No sticks were cracked now. 
Stuart’s men were not regulars. The gen- 
erals would have classed them as militia; 


250 


Morgan’s men. 


and so they were. But they were also vet- 
erans. Like militia, they were especially 
good at running when that was the busi- 
ness in hand. In their character of veter- 
ans they also knew to a dot just when it 
was advisable to run, and when to stay. 
The trouble with the most of the militia lay 
in the fact that they had not learned this 
last lesson, as a whole, and so their running 
capacity was the part of their education 
which had been best developed. But they 
had lucid intervals, as it was ; particularly 
in places where they could n’t run for good, 
though local reasons, such as a precipice 
or a deep sea. 

No ; old campaigners as Stuart’s hunters 
were, save one or two who took their cue 
from the rest, there was no flurry or un- 
seemly haste about their going. Girths 
were cinched up with due care, bridles ad- 
justed with steady fingers, and when one 
or two would have mounted, a muttered 
caution from Yadkin, or Turnipseed, or 
some other old hand nearest to the re- 
cruit, checked the action until the young 
captain came gliding down among them 


THE WATCH FOR TARLETON. 251 

with an approving smile and nod as he 
noted each man standing by his horse’s 
head with hand on muzzle, ready to check 
whinny or neigh. 

Mount, men ! ” 

And at the word each man with scarce a 
rustle slipped into saddle, gathered rein, and 
at a word from Stuart stole silently out of 
the hollow with Gavin Paynt at the head; 
while in the rear, last of all, rode the cap- 
tain, keeping ever a keen ear for sounds 
in the far distance which might betoken 
pursuit, and a habitual side-glance right 
and left lest some overlooked scout of a 
tory might think the last man in the troop 
a safe enough target and try the accuracy 
of his flint-lock. 

Miles further on, after many minutes of 
swift walking, Stuart and Gavin changed 
places, and Forward, all ! ” was the word, 
hard along the plain track of the retreating 
army. But the men ahead also were trav- 
elling fast. The shadows were long already, 
and yet they had not been overtaken, and 
Stuart was about to spur on the faster, when 
suddenly he checked his horse sharply and 


252 Morgan’s men. 

threw up his hand, bringing his own men to 
a sudden halt. 

What is it, Cap’n ? ” 

Gavin Paynt by this time would not have 
asked that question. He would have waited 
to be told, as would Yadkin, Bill Swint, or 
any of his original command, who were 
fast and proudly taking to themselves the 
attributes of well-drilled men. But Stuart 
ever was gentle with pure ignorance, and 
replied kindly : — 

fresh trail, Yocum. Don’t you see 
it? There is another party following the 
army ahead of us. There is where they 
turned into the trail. Irregulars, of course, 
for see how they spread apart, and each 
took his own course through the sedge. 
Here, Gavin, can you count?” 

“No, Cap’n, doggone if I kin,” replied 
the man with humility. 

“ Can anybody ? ” 

“ I kin, some, sah ! ” 

“ Good ! Well, Turnipseed, ride along the 
edge of the army’s trail with me, and see if 
my count is correct as to this party ahead 
of us. What do you make it ? ” 


THE WATCH FOR TARLETON. 253 

^^Wall, Cap’n, hit seems ter me there 
mought be a right smart lot, somewheres 
about two hunnerd.’' 

Ah ! I made it about one hundred and 
fifty.” 

Either number is too many for us, so 
keep a good eye ahead, Gavin, and ride with 
me. Forward ! 

And on they went again, although some- 
what more cautiously than before. 

Thar they be ! ” said a dozen low voices 
some time later and simultaneously, as 
they topped a gentle rise, and as with a 
single hand each horse was brought to a 
sudden halt and made to go backward till 
only a head could be seen by any one look- 
ing back along the trail. 

^^Beg pardon, Cap’n,” said Gavin, sud- 
denly. 

What is it?’^ 

Them ’s our folks, not tories. I kin see 
two or three that I know ; an' that man on 
the bay boss is Pickens. Hit's all right, 
shore. They 've come ter join." 

And so it was. And when Pickens and 
his company of one hundred and fifty men 


254 


Morgan’s men. 


came into camp that night with Stuart’s 
little troop unnoticed in their rear^ Morgan 
.leaped from his seat with his face aglow 
with enthusiastic fire, and in that second 
resolved not to retreat another rod, but to 
fight right there ! And yet on the one side 
was the oncoming army of Tarleton, known 
to outnumber his own, and on the other 
side the glare of patriot camp-fires lit the 
dark, sullen waters of the Broad, across 
which in the face of an enemy there could 
be no retreat. It seemed a death-trap for 
that little army ! Yet to Pickens, Colonel 
Washington, Howard, and other officers 
who were in his confidence, he whispered 
with hearty enthusiasm : — 

‘^It’s the very place for us, the very 
place ! The militia can’t run, they ’ve got 
to fight ! And if they ’ll stand long enough 
for only two good, low volleys, that’s all 
I ’ll ask of them ; then, Howard, your 
Marylanders can be trusted to do the 
rest ! ” 

And the tanned face of the officer of the 
line flushed at this public praise of his tried 
regulars, the flower of the army. Even 


THE WATCH FOR TARLETON. 255 

Stuart came in for a word as he came for- 
ward to make his report. 

^^Ha, Captain, are you back? How 
much time have we?” 

“ Colonel Tarleton, sir, probably will 
reach here by daylight.” 

^^Good! — and. Captain, Colonel Wash- 
ington speaks well of you. I shall mention 
your services to General Greene. Get a 
good rest to-night, for there will be fighting 
to-morrow.” 

Then leaving Stuart as nearly dum- 
founded as he could be in the midst of his 
men, who, to a man, were grinning from 
ear to ear, the general was off toward the 
nearest fire, where he slapped the first man 
he came to on the back like an old friend, 
and told him the news with a zest and de- 
light which was irresistibly contagious ; 
and far into the night he passed from fire 
to fire, once more a laughing, rollicking 
boy of two hundred pounds’ weight, poking 
one under the ribs, tweaking the long hair 
of some coonskin-hatted mountaineer, stir- 
ring up the whole group to cheery laughter 
by some happy joke witty or practical, until 


256 


Morgan’s men. 


the whole bivouac was resting in the most 
contented frame of mind that ever possessed 
an army that was about to fight. And 
when the general, his duty done, at last 
rolled himself in his blanket for a brief rest, 
no man heard him whisper devoutly to 
himself, — 

^^Pray God that the militia stand to- 
morrow ! ” 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


HOW COLONEL TARLETON LAUGHED AT 
CAUTION. 

W E ’LL have them before another 
sun ! ” said Tarleton. 

It was about the middle of the afternoon, 
and men and horses had had their rest, and 
were stepping forth lively on their way. 
Here and there in the little squadron of 
cavalry a rein unconsciously was tightened 
and the horse’s nose rubbed for a moment 
against the crupper of the horse ahead. 
Here and there a plodding tory as uncon- 
sciously grasped his swaying powder-horn 
and glanced ahead with an eager scowl 
from under his low-drawn hat. Forward to 
the van rode Tarleton himself, too impatient 
to be content with a more backward posi- 
tion. Then, too. Lord Egerton was there. 
Of course there were other officers by tens 
under his command ; but they were all old 

17 


258 


Morgan’s men. 


stories. Nothing new or stimulating could 
be derived from their conversation, and they 
were shadowed by discipline. Egerton was 
like a volunteer; he was friendly with 
Cornwallis. Cornwallis was an earl. Eger- 
ton was ever a cheery, even-tempered young 
fellow, really liked by his associates because 
he was such a genuine good fellow ; also, he 
was a lord. So the colonel on his second 
mount splashed his way onward to where 
he found the lieutenant sharply scrutinising 
an o:ffensive-looking thicket just beyond 
gunshot. 

See anything ? he inquired eagerly. 

Not yet, sir ; it looks suspicious, that ’s 
all — yet.” 

^^Pooh! we mustn’t balk at mere sus- 
picions. Here, you ! ” to the nearest soldier 
— Run out there and draw their fire.” 

The man hesitated a second, looked ap- 
pealingly at the face of the colonel, in which 
he found as much sympathy as in a stone 
idol, then drawing in his breath sharply 
like one who is about to plunge into an ice- 
bound stream, he broke from cover, and with 
a sharp cry that echoed like a hawk’s scream 


TARLETON LAUGHED AT CAUTION. 259 

among the trees he made a rapid dart 
toward the thicket, tacked suddenly to the 
right, then zigzagged to the left, and brought 
up breathlessly behind a huge stump which 
flanked the copse. Not a leaf had stirred, 
nor a shot followed. Carefully they saw the 
man bob his head out from cover for half- 
second looks, then make a dash for a nearer 
trunk, then walk boldly out into the open 
and vanish behind the thicket, reappearing 
and waving his hat. 

That ’s the way ! said the colonel, ap- 
provingly. We cannot spare time to 
flank every thicket in the Carolinas.” 

What would have happened to the man 
had that thicket been tenanted evidently 
did not trouble him. At saving men the 
lieutenant was the better man, which was 
one reason why the men of his escort were 
ever so ready to follow him. 

Something caught Lord Egerton’s eye for 
a moment, and spurring ahead and to one 
side he paused to examine it, signalling to 
the scout-master to join him. The colonel 
overtook them as they were studying the 
signs. 


260 Morgan’s men. 

See, Colonel, yonder dark line winding 
through the thickets. It is a regular road, 
so many feet have traversed it. A little 
regiment has joined the rebels, and not so 
very long ago. There is a tuft of grass 
that a horse snatched and partly ate, and it 
isn’t dry yet.” 

The colonel’s eyes glowed as he took in 
the various details, but he said nothing, 
contenting himself with a swift glance 
backward to note the progress of his own 
men, with a reflective look, as though medi- 
tating if he possibly could get out of them 
another mile per hour. 

Suddenly he asked the royalist, — 

Smallhorn, how far is it to the next 
wide water ? ” 

The scout-master reflected a moment. 

I kain’t tell fer sho’. If the Gunnel gits 
along right peart hit’s about half a sun 
from here ter the Broad. The rebels are 
bound ter cross that or fight. They kain’t 
nowise do both.” 

Come on, men ! ” was Tarleton’s abrupt 
reply as his horse plunged forward under 
the keen spur ; and again the van was mak- 
ing up for lost time. 


TARLETON LAUGHED AT CAUTION. 261 

No man in all the host was more eager 
than Lord Egerton, and right loyally he 
rode onward at his leader’s back, using 
both eyes and ears, however, in a watchful- 
ness that had been inculcated in him deeper 
in this campaign than by all his earlier 
soldiering; and he had seen considerable 
service, too. There was the making of a 
good officer in him, — if some impertinent 
rifleman did not interfere. He even ven- 
tured from his quasi-guest and volunteer 
status to make a suggestion to the lieuten- 
ant-colonel as a huge collection of pines 
compelled a slower speed. 

Shall we not send a courier back to 
Leslie, sir, and obtain his support? It is 
clear that very soon the enemy will be run 
to earth.” 

^^Pooh! nonsense! Leslie is leagues 
away; and if he wasn’t we have no need 
of him. This is Lenew’s Ferry, over again. 
Gods 1 how we cut them up there ! We ’ll 
do better yet this time, Leftenant, unless the 
Broad belies its name, for here they can’t get 
across so easily with us behind them.” 

^^That is exactly what I was thinking 


262 


Morgan’s men. 


of, sir,” the lieutenant urged, respectfully 
enough. Men like those that we have 
been chasing are not men to let us do all the 
work. They are running now, it is true; 
but get them where they can’t run and — 
did you never see a cornered rat ? I have ! ” 
They are rats ! Good, Leftenant ! — 
and the colonel’s white teeth showed. 

It ’s a happy comparison ; but we are all 
too strong to need such care as that. Re- 
member that a running man is always a 
demoralised man, and when he is run down 
he has lost his head.” 

Well, sir, I must confess that ever since 
I was a boy I have had the heartiest sort of 
respect for cornered rats. Their ways are 
sudden, and various.” 

The cavalrymen rode on for some min- 
utes in silence, cogitating. 

^^But these are not rats, after all, but 
Yankees,” he said at length, as if that 
was a satisfactory conclusion; and Lord 
Egerton deemed it advisable to say no 
more. He was with Tarleton to see ser- 
vice,” and must not complain if the ser- 
vice ” was varied as well as extensive. 


TARLETON LAUGHED AT CAUTION. 263 


He glanced around him for a moment, and 
backward. Three or four horsemen were 
riding well ahead with one eye on the ter- 
rain beyond, the other keeping in occasional 
view the scout-master, and in obedience 
to his gesture exploring doubtful thickets, 
spreading out in the glades and openings, 
closing in, dismounting, and leaving one to 
lead on their horses where the forest came 
down around them. To the rear, in a close 
group, rode a little knot of men in scarlet, — 
the lieutenant’s own escort from the 63d, 
which stayed by him like a burr. Beyond, 
the undulating files of cavalry were hiding 
the forms of the hurrying foot. All of 
them, however, hard, seasoned men, veter- 
ans of many a fray, were trudging along 
with the sturdy British determination exist- 
ent still, though so many of them were Brit- 
ish only in blood and never had set foot on 
England’s soil. As he looked and noted 
their eagerness overcoming the fatigues of 
the toilsome march, his own spirits took an 
upward cheer. 

They ’re fighters, too, every one ! ” he 
muttered to himself, and he drew back a 


264 


Morgan’s men. 


moment to give his men a chance to over- 
take him. Their familiar faces were like 
friends in a crowd of strangers. 

We are having quieter work, Sergeant. 
It is hours since we have even heard a 
shot,” he said, with a genial smile. 

So we are, sir ; may I make so bold as 
to ask the Lef tenant what is to be the end of 
it all ? Have we drove the Yankees out of 
the country ? ” 

Hardly, Wilde; somewhere ahead of 
us there is a large river, and the colonel is 
hoping to overtake the enemy before they 
cross. If we do, he expects to annihilate 
them then and there.” 

That ’s good news, sir ! ” — and the 
faces of the men within hearing brightened 
up at once. real good slashing fight, 

sir, is just wot we need. This here bush- 
fightin’ is kind of demoralisin’ to the men, 
so to speak, specially when we don’t seem 
to make no headway. The trees get about 
all our bullets, or if we make a hit the fel- 
ler’s friends carry him ofi with ’em and 
we ’ve nothin’ to show for it.” 

^^Well, we shall have fighting enough, 


TARLETON LAUGHED AT CAUTION. 265 

men, if we do catch up with them, — I feel 
sure of that. Now remember, you came as 
my escort, and I want to take you all back 
with me if I can ; the colonel can make use 
of me as an aide, and as we . have compara- 
tively few cavalry it is likely that he will 
expect you to act with the rest as such. I 
need not tell you to do your duty, — I know 
you ’ll do that ; but I want to caution you 
to keep together, to wait for the slowest 
horse, to guard particularly against allow- 
ing yourselves to be strung out in a scat- 
tered line, and when we charge, to keep 
the sharpest eye out for two things, — your 
neighbours, and the nearest rifleman. The 
one may save your comrade’s life and give 
him a chance, perhaps, to save yours a min- 
ute later. For the other, keep your pistol 
ready in reserve as long as you can, for you 
are likely to have no time to reload. That 
is all, I think. Now, Sergeant, I must join 
the colonel. Something is brewing, appar- 
ently, and he may need us.” 

Tarleton and the scout-master were in 
earnest conversation still as Lord Egerton 
rode up. 


266 


Morgan’s men. 


Hit ’s a fact, sah, thar ain’t no place as 
I knows of for miles ahead so good to camp 
on as right hyar. Thar’s water, ’n’ some 
grass sich as ’t is ; an’ win’falls of wood 
a-plenty. Also, good spots for sentries. 
I ’ve camped hyar befo’ when we had Injuns 
ter stand off, an’ some o’ the folks ahead 
are mighty nigh as bad.” 

^^But there is an hour of daylight yet 
for marching, man ! ” 

Yo’ kin put that on t’ other end of the 
rest, sah,” remarked the man, drily. 

“ Thar hain’t no place within an hour’s 
march whar I’d sleep a wink this night, 
sah!” 

The lieutenant-colonel frowned impa- 
tiently, and gave a far-away look into the 
distance through the gathering shadows. 
He hated to halt, yet felt that the man was 
right if the country was as he stated, which 
he had no reason to doubt. 

Take a look at the trail,” he said sud- 
denly, ^^and tell me where at this hour 
Morgan is likely to be.” 

“ I ’ve been studyin’ that already, sah,” 
said the man, quietly, with the respectful 


TARLETON LAUGHED AT CAUTION. 267 

pride of one who knows his business. 

Hif Morgan ’s done what he ’s likely to 
do, he ’s almost reached the Broad. The 
water T1 be high, most likely, an’ the men 
dog-tired. He orter cross to-night, but 
then he ’d be a long time a-doing it in the 
dark, an* nowise safe — mought get his 
powder wet ; an* anyway he *d have to go 
inter camp with his men all wet; an* he 
knows prob’ly just whar we-uns are. So 
he *11 go into camp right thar, and cross 
about daylight in the morning.** 

^^He will, will he?** and the cavalry- 
man’s eyes sparkled. Leftenant, you 
heard ? Pass the word back along the 
line that we go into camp right here. Tell 
the adjutant with my compliments to con- 
sult the scout-master here and post the 
sentries under his advice, — he knows the 
ground, and it will save time. Order 
the men to lie down at once, details ex- 
cepted, and get to rest without delay. 
Serve out extra rations, and warn the men 
that we march to-morrow morning at three 
o’clock. Tell them that this is the home- 
stretch, — it will hearten them up. See 


268 


Morgan’s men. 


that they have ammunition enough for a 
battle ; and — er — Leftenant ! the adjutant 
will have his hands full with all that. Do 
me the favour yourself to order the cavalry 
officers to see that the horses have an extra 
rub down and the best grass attainable 
while there is light enough for it to be 
found ; and tell my man to pay special 
attention to Muskrat. I shall want him 
at daylight to-morrow.’^ 

Lord Egerton saluted and cantered away 
to execute the various behests of his veteran 
commander, the orders which he conveyed 
being received with a variety of emotions, 
from the general delight of the men at a 
chance to rest and the prospect of fighting, 
to the gloom of the groom who must strap 
down Muskrat, and who spent some valu- 
able time trying to find a friend willing to 
‘‘ hold ’im just a little while ” during the 
process. Friends of that degree of self- 
sacrifice were not to be found that night 
in Tarleton’s army. 

When the lieutenant returned from his 
missions, reported them as executed, and 
went to his own place, he found a little 


TARLETON LAUGHED AT CAUTION. 269 

shelter already built, firelit, warm, and 
snug, with a hot ration on a tin plate and 
a soft blanket awaiting, — silent testimoni- 
als of the regard of his men ; and discarding 
his heavy cavalry boots and other nones- 
sentials to slumber, he stretched himself 
luxuriously at full length to the somnic 
whispering of the wind far above him 
'among the pines, murmuring to himself 
the while in sleepy happiness, — 

Oh, the blissfulness of being unshelled ! 


CHAPTER XIX. 


WHERE THE CHASE ENDED. LORD EGER- 
TON LEARNS A LESSON IN SCOUTING. 

HE sky was overcast and dark. There- 



i was no natural incentive to any one 
in that host to awake at the unsanctified 
hour of two A. M. Nevertheless there was 
a heartlessly unnatural one in the person 
of the officer of the day, — so called, — to 
whom daylight and darkness were alike 
mere matters of detail, and not to be con- 
sidered as either ]pro or con when there was 
duty to be done. 

He had visited the sentries; he had 
stumbled along the picket-line, and had 
noted that the weary horses were deep 
in slumber, all save one wiry quadruped 
who alertly lifted a wicked eye in his di- 
rection, and around whom as a matter of 
sheer habit he made a cautiously wide semi- 
circle, irrespective of any respect due to the 


WHERE THE CHASE ENDED„ 271 

said quadruped because of bis being the 
colonel’s mount. 

He had glanced at the cook’s fires and 
had noted that the utensils needful for their 
simple although extra-matutinal breakfast- 
ing were arranged neatly in order, ready 
for instant use. It might be considered 
out of his province to look so closely into 
such matters as a part of his regular duty ; 
but if the army was to start on a march at 
three A. m., and was not ready to start by 
reason of a delayed breakfast or any other 
cause, the first thing which that ofiicer 
would have to produce would be a good 
and really sufficient reason for that delay, 
— one which would satisfy Lieutenant- 
Colonel Banastre Tarleton at a moment 
when he at least was ready to mount. 
There are times when several pounds of 
prevention really are worth several ounces 
of cure. One measures potatoes by the 
bushel, but diamonds by the pennyweight ; 
yet no one would object to bartering a goodly 
number of bushels of potatoes for one pocket 
variety of diamond. So in that host there 
was one man who was wider awake than 


272 


Morgan’s men. 


the sentinels ; and at the appointed hour he 
proceeded to impart some of his wakefulness 
unto his happier — because sleepier — com- 
rades in arms. Whereat he was reviled 
greatly. That also is the way of the world. 

Nevertheless, the army proceeded to get 
up and breakfast. It was all a part of the 
business of a soldier, as each one knew ; and 
in due time the fruits of a variegated chop- 
ping which had made echoes at sundown 
now became apparent, as along the extended 
line at frequent intervals a soldier ■— and 
his neighbours — took especial pains to see 
that his powder was under cover, and each 
thrust into a gun-barrel the end of a pine 
knot, or lashed it thereto by a strip of bark 
according to the size of the knot ; while 
from the blazing torch thus made and held 
aloft the rich resinous odour of the flame 
drifted to leeward in writhing coils of smoke, 
and the red light now and then showed to 
a plodding foot the difference between a 
root and a shadow, or flashed in warning 
reflection from a muddy pool. 

Yet now and then the leader of a file 
would lift his leg high in air to clear a log, 


WHERE THE CHASE ENDED. 273 

which action would be faithfully copied by 
each man behind him in his turn until 
some distant warrior both sceptical and 
lazy omitted the ceremony without harm, 
and broke the thread for the benefit of 
those behind him ; and perhaps a moment 
or two later would again show his indiffer- 
ence to the wisdom of those who had gone 
before and reap his reward by a headlong 
plunge over a real log, this time, and not 
a shadow. Then was he fortunate if he 
received merely a verbal lashing from some 
irate officer, and not a whack from the flat 
of a sword. Such were some few of the 
joys of soldiering then. 

And now had begun a hard, long, hurry- 
ing pursuit on through the endless night. 

Hurry ! hurry ! hurry ! — was the word. 
The colonel stamped it into the minds of 
the captains with an iron brevity of speech 
which left nothing to be desired in force. 
The captains left no man under their com- 
mands in doubt upon the subject ; and the 
swinging tread of the little army cut down 
mile after mile as it tramped its breathless 
way ; yet ever and anon the face of the 
18 


274 


Morgan’s men. 


handsome colonel clouded as he looked at 
his watch by the glare of an uplifted torch, 
and with a touch of his spur set his horse 
plodding on yet faster as a time-beat to 
quicken the rhythm of the marching men 
behind ; and many an infantryman that 
night cursed in his heart the fate which 
placed over him in command a mounted 
man, who did his own marching on other 
feet than his, and knew not weariness, nor 
bruised and aching muscles. 

So passed the long, long hours ; and the 
torches burned to their lashings, and their 
charred stumps lay smouldering by the 
way; and still without a pause they fol- 
lowed the For-r-r’ard ! ” — that command 
that never tired. And yet here and there 
one found breath to hurl a fierce jest to 
some hurrying comrade, answered by a 
yet curter slang of the ranks, hot with the 
lust of conquest ; for not one man but felt 
himself invincible, and ready by himself to 
rout a host, — such is the strength which 
circumstance gives to the pursuer in the 
chase of war. So on they plunged, head- 
long. 


WHERE THE CHASE ENDED. 275 

We ’ll do it, yet!” the colonel fairly 
shouted across the heads of the files to 
Egerton upon the other side. We ’re win- 
ning, we ’re beating time itself ; if we but 
get there one half-hour before daybreak 
we’ll drown Morgan and all his men like 
puppies in the Broad ! We will leave not one 
man of them alive ! Come on, men ! For-r- 
r’ard 1 ” and a hoarse roar from a thousand 
throats, harsh and thirsty for slaughter, 
swept growling toward the rear as file after 
file took up the chorus and stepped on with 
brisker stride, not knowing, save the fore- 
most, why they cheered, yet spurred on by 
fierce, exultant undercurrent of vindictive 
pursuit, — a surging column of meat-eaters 
hurrying on their prey. 

^^Leftenant Egerton! we must be draw- 
ing near. Ride onward, sir, with the scouts, 
until you can observe the enemy. Find out 
what they are doing, if you can, and report. 
Avoid alarming them if possible.” 

Splash went the lieutenant’s horse through 
a slough. No time to go round it, when 
Tarleton commands 1 With a wave of his 
hand, Smallhorn, the loyalist scout-master, 


276 Morgan’s men. 

who had overheard the order, already had 
signalled to a squad of his best mounted 
men and joined the lieutenant with soldierly 
promptness. The flame from their re- 
newed torches streamed backward and grew 
brighter, and their horses snorted and shied 
shudderingly as embers shaken from the 
flambeaux of the foremost fell upon their sen- 
sitive skins. Then the lights grew smaller, 
smaller, to pin-points; the thud of hoofs 
grew faint ; then light and sound went out, 
and the regiment followed on with thoughts 
eager and far ahead of their plodding feet. 

And what of the scouts ? Nothing, for a 
time : nothing but wilderness. Then they 
were out of the woods at last and were 
crossing a savanna. For a brief space 
their way wound through clumps of thickets 
straggling out into the grassland like ad- 
vance-posts of the forest ; but presently the 
keen-eyed master of the guides gave a low- 
toned order as he passed a pool, and into it 
went hissing and spluttering what remained 
of his torch, followed by all other lights. 
Thenceforward they rode in darkness. 

The men rode in absolute silence, their 










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WHERE THE CHASE ENDED. 277 

eyes shifting hither and thither, ever falling 
back as a last assurance to the significant 
semaphores of their horses’ ears. While 
those signals were down there was safety, 
so far as safety could be secured by living 
vigilance. 

At last Lord Egerton gave a sigh of 
relief. 

Look yonder,” he remarked. Day is 
breaking in the east.” 

The loyalist gave a low chuckle and a 
steady look in the direction pointed out, 
then a brief, confirmative glance aloft at a 
single star that was gleaming in a cloudrift. 

^^Yawnduh hain’t the east, Leftenant, 
nor no daybreak. Hit ’s dark yit.” 

Ha ! their campfires ! ” 

Right!” 

There was a sudden movement of alert- 
ness that quivered through the group. The 
light which had caught their tired eyes was 
faint, a mere glow of radiance above the 
thickets and far away, but the wary parti- 
san was prompt. He knew his business. 

^^Yo’, Batt! ride out thar a good half- 
mile ahead an’ don’t git asleep. Yo’ know 


278 


Morgan’s men. 


what we ’re after. Pike, yo’ ride next forty 
rod behind him, an’ skin the hummocks wot 
Batt kain’t see. If yo’ see a sign, Batt, 
halt till Pike kirns up, then yo’ both spread 
out an’ snake roun’. Pike, if yo’ see any- 
thing wot Batt orter know of, hoot like a 
squinch owel. We-uns ’ll tote long behind. 
Off with yo’, an’ don’t git ter conjurm’, but 
— git ! Yo’ heah me ? ” 

Sahtin ! ” And without further word 
the two men swung their guns to a ready 
and disappeared in the night. Conversation 
among hunters while on duty is a lost art. 

Meanwhile the scout-master was watching 
the distant luminous sky with a slightly 
anxious gaze. The lieutenant was nomi- 
nally in command of the party, but the 
swampman paid no more attention to him 
than to a silent stone ; while the lieutenant 
himself had the good sense to keep abso- 
lutely quiet, although tingling with the rush 
of good red blood which was pumping from 
his heart in spite of his calm placidity. 
Hunting was their business, to which they 
had been bred. His breeding had been 
simply as a gentleman born; and on the 


WHERE THE CHASE ENDED. 279 

whole it had been effective. At all events, 
it had taught him to respect an expert in 
the degree of the expertness. Perhaps that 
was why he was there, for Tarleton at times 
had a good eye for a man. 

Quin ! ” said the scout-master, suddenly. 

Hyar ! ’’ responded the personage ad- 
dressed, from a little distance. 

Yo Ve got good eyes in yo' haid. Take 
a look at that fiah.” 

The dusky shape seemed to shade the eyes 
aforesaid, and gazed steadily for a moment. 

Hit ’s brighter than ’t was,” he said de- 
cisively. Tears like they ’ve woke up an’ 
are brilin’ bacon.” 

A low laugh fluttered through the group, 
and one or two of the men raised their 
heads, and sniffed hungrily. 

The scout-master nodded contentedly. 

^^Yo’ve hit it, er reckon. We’ll git 
thar right soon, now. Whar in nation’s 
Batt an’ Pike ? Ride ahead a bit, Quin, 
an’ see if yo’ kin make ’em out.” 

Quin vanished like a shadow, his horse 
making hardly any sound in the sodden 
grass. 


280 


Morgan’s men. 


Presently there was a sudden click! 
click! click! of flintlocks as a shadow 
loomed up gigantically and halted; then 
the rapid whisper : — 

Hit ’s me — Quin ! I Ve found ’em. 
An’ they ’ve found a picket or somethin’. 
Yo’ kain’t go no furder without a fuss.” 

^^Halt, men! ’Light, Quin, an’ go back 
afoot an’ bring in the boys. We-uns ’ll 
look out fer yer boss an’ gun.” 

Then there was a longer wait, and pres- 
ently from far to the right came the low 
hoot of a screech-owl, at which a nearly 
noiseless laugh rustled among the waiting 
men. 

Batt ’s done lost hisself, er reckon. 
Pretty feller ter send out a-scoutin’.” 

^^No fault o’ Batt’s,” said their leader, 
sharply. We-uns ’ll have moved on out 
er line since he left. Squinch fer ’im, Sam.” 

Sam squinched ” accordingly, so nearly 
like a little owl that Lord Egerton actually 
started ; and presently the absent men 
appeared. 

Wall, Batt?” 

Thar ’s a little lot o’ men over yawnduh 


WHERE THE CHASE ENDED. 281 

in a grove. Hit’s a picket, for they’ve 
been thar all night.” 

‘^Sho’ o’ that?” 

Er reckon, cos they had a fire ’fore hit 
went out. Pike ’n’ I both crep’ round down 
wind an’ smelt it. Smelt bosses, too. Pike 
got nigher an’ says he heard one stamp. 
’T ain’t a big crowd, cos the grove ’s a little 
un. We hitched ’n’ lighted an’ crep’ clar 
round hit. Pike got most too nigh an’ 
woke up a boss, er reckon. I ’ve tole ’im 
he orter know better, an’ when the fight ’s 
over I ’ll whale ’im.” 

How did you know they were there ? ” 
asked the lieutenant, breaking his long si- 
lence and unable to restrain his curiosity 
longer. 

Batt stared at him. 

« Why, hit ’s whar thar orter be a picket ! 
Wlien a fox finds a mice nest he don’t go by 
without lookin’ ter see if mice ’s thar. If 
he smells ’em he knows they ’re thar, an’ 
acts accordin’.” 

The lieutenant smothered a laugh, and 
turned to the scout-master. 

^^Well, Smallhorn, here we are! There 


282 


Morgan’s men. 


are their fires, so they are found. They 
have just been refreshed, so Morgan’s troops 
— or some of his men — are still there. If 
the most of the rebels had crossed the 
Broad, this picket would not have been 
left in such an exposed position to give 
warning of our coming, for our vanguard 
would drive them into the river. So a 
large force is still this side of the Broad, to 
which force they could fall back for pro- 
tection. Do I read it aright ? ” 

Bight to a dot ! ” was the reply in a 
surprised tone. Yo ’ve got sense, Lef- 
tenant. ’F you ’d been brought up like 
we-uns you ’d be scout-master yo’self by 
this time.” 

‘‘I suppose that outpost cannot be si- 
lenced ? ” asked the lieutenant, tentatively. 

How about that, Batt ? ” and the guide 
turned to his man. 

Not nohow ! ” said the latter, promptly. 
^^Hi don’t mean for to say as how we 
couldn’t snake up close enough to rush 
’em, an’ p’raps git the last one of ’em, tho’ 
we must expect to lose some of we-uns too, 
being as we ’ve found out afore now that 


WHERE THE CHASE ENDED. 283 

thar's some dead shots among ’em. But 
whar ’s the good ? Yo’ kain t nowise do it 
without raisin’ no end of a row, and that ’ll 
jest naturally wake up Morgan. Then the 
cunnel ’ll jest naturally wake up we-uns — 
an’ mebbe six or eight feet high, a-dancin’ 
on nothin’, fer spilin’ his plans.” 

No doubt you are right, Batt. Now, 
Smallhorn, you heard my orders — to go 
back and report. It is my turn for duty. 
Let Batt accompany me, — the colonel may 
wish to question him. Do you dismount 
and keep an eye on that picket, out of their 
sight, but send a line of men part-way on 
the back track that we may know, if need 
be, when we are drawing near to it. If 
possible the colonel will want to ride right 
into their camp, driving the picket before 
him. Do you understand ? ” 

I understand, sah ! — keep an eye on 
the picket, start a man or two along the 
back trail, an’ watch out. But the cunnel 
kain’t ride ’em down nohow this time, Lef- 
tenant, caze thar ain’t noways enough 
bosses fit for the run. But that’s his af- 
fair, of co’se. Yo’ heah, Batt! git along 


284 


Morgan’s men. 


with the leftenant ; and Quin ! yo’ ’n’ Pike, 
yo’ beared. Git along on the back trail 
accordin’. 'Light, the rest o’ yo’, an’ hitch.” 

And even as the young lieutenant started 
on his backward way the sky was growing 
tremulously grey with coining dawn. 


CHAPTER XX. 


GENERAL MORGAN, PANTHER-LIKE, STANDS 
AT BAY. 



Tlast!’’ 


x ^ For the life of him Lieutenant- 
Colonel Banastre Tarleton could not have 
restrained that cry, as it dawned upon him 
that the end of his rugged chase had come. 
Here was the goal which a strong, passion- 
ate man had set his heart on winning ; and, 
no matter by how great or small a margin, 
yet he had won ! There before him were 
the flying forms of horsemen carrying into 
camp the news, beyond doubt, that Tarle- 
ton ! Tarleton has come ! ” No doubt they 
were the men who had endeavoured to 
block his way in his unrelenting pursuit, 
and whose snares he had brushed away like 
spider-webs in the grasp of an iron gaunt- 
let; and noting how few they were he 
laughed contemptuously, for Tarleton was 
young, and it is a sign of youngness to 


286 mokgan’s men. 

despise one’s foes without pause for their 
examination. 

Swinging round in his saddle the com- 
mander looked rearward. On came his 
troops, the horses with heads down, plod- 
ding; the infantry with eager looks, but 
hollow-eyed and pale. Long, hard had 
they been marching, and weariness was 
stamped deeply in their mien, plain enough 
for any one to read who — cared. But 
Tarleton never cared for that. Why should 
he trouble to begin now ? He hardly gave 
the matter a single thought. 

Yonder they are, Lef tenant ! ” he cried 
exultingly to his volunteer aide, with a wild, 
uncontrollable gesture of his gloved hand 
sweeping the terrain beyond. “Yonder 
they are. Not crossed yet, by Heaven ! Now 
for a battle at last ; and if I leave one man 
of them upon his feet may I never wield 
sabre again. This is the day of a life- 
time ! ” 

Lord Egerton scanned the lay of the land 
and gave a dubious glance at the weary men 
behind them. 

“ Our men are fagged, to a degree, sir,” 


GENERAL MORGAN STANDS AT BAT. 287 

he said. If we were to hold the enemy in 
check, as we could easily do, it would give 
time for Leslie to come up, and so make a 
sure thing of it.” 

Leslie be hanged ! ” roared the lieu- 
tenant-colonel. What do we want of 
Leslie ? Hold them in check, say you ? 
Didn’t Cornwallis try that and lose Rahl 
and his Hessians at Trenton? Give them 
a chance and they would slip through our 
fingers like sand. No ! a thousand times 
no ! I want no Leslie here. By all the 
gods of war, did man ever see a lovelier 
lay of the land for a battle ? If I turned 
my back on this chance, cashiering would be 
too good for me. Forward, gentlemen! 
here, trumpeter, sound ^ officers’ call ’ ! — 
Quick, men ! We must give them no time to 
rally. Align your men right here in battle 
array, the left flanked by that thicket. 
Brannan, your squadron will form the 
right wing. Dent, stay here with the other 
on the left, the infantry between the two 
squadrons. Line up! men, line up!” — 
and the impetuous cavalry-man gave scant 
time to his sub-chiefs to execute the sheaf of 


288 


Morgan’s men. 


orders thus rapidly dealt out to them, but 
cut in with curt commands of his own, 
which made tired men forget their aching 
limbs and spring to place with the accuracy 
of the well-drilled machine which he had 
built up exactly in readiness for such a 
time as this. 

“ Where are those grasshoppers ? Oh ! 
here, Dupont, take those guns over yonder 
where you see that little pine. Try for a 
cross-fire when you get the range. — On with 
you, man ! ” giving a hearty rap with the 
flat of his sabre across the back of a foot- 
man whose haste in reaching his place in 
the swiftly growing line of battle did not 
keep pace with the colonel’s ideas on the 
subject. And yet it was a sight to make 
that commander glad. 

There in the rear stood in soldierly line 
a battalion of his best men and his steadiest 
dragoons in reserve. In front, artillery in 
the centre, stretched the thin red line of 
other men whose comrades on many a field 
and in just such a line have held back the 
columns of advancing foes from sun to sun. 
And on either flank drew rein a squadron 


GENERAL MORGAN STANDS AT BAY. 289 

of hardy, seasoned riders in green, who 
waited but for the breaking of the ranks of 
their enemy when, with gallop of hoof and 
blare of bugle and clink of swinging sabre, 
they would do their part to their coloneFs 
deep content. 

Come, my lord, let us ride forward and 
give them a look before advancing ! the 
latter cried, nodding gaily to Lord Eger- 
ton and with a gesture indicating the rest 
of his desired escort. Forward ! ” — 
unthinkingly putting spurs to his horse, 
whereat that eccentric animal gave an elec- 
tric plunge forward with a convulsive, un- 
dulatory wriggle of his own invention. 

Blast the beast ! I forgot 1 ’’ 

With smothered laughs the other officers 
laid rein on their horses’ necks, right and 
left, and swept outward in semicircle away 
from the dangerous locality of Muskrat. 

Up the long, low slope they cantered, 
casting keen glances right and left, and 
toward what seemed the enemy beyond, 
crowning the low summit of the mound. 

There they are, gentlemen 1 Yonder ’s 
their main line. What say you now, Lef- 

19 


290 


Morgan’s men. 


tenant ? Are they not too few to ask for 
any help but our own right arms ? But — 
gad ! they stand up well ! ” 

They did, indeed, and they were Mary- 
land men. And some of them had been 
trained, and well trained, by a young officer 
in buckskin, to capture whom Tarleton 
would have thrown away a battle ; but no 
such officer was in the line of battle on that 
hill crest. 

“ Ah ! there is the cavalry in that grove 
part-way up the rise ! ’’ cried Twickenham, 
a black-browed captain among the escort, 
pointing. 

Then what are all those men doing in 
front, between them and us?” rejoined 
another, indicating a line of men in home- 
spun and yellow spread out singly and in 
little groups like coalescing drops of water. 
Here and there among them there was a 
twinkle of light as a gleam flashed from a 
long gun. 

I tell you, those are the horses of the 
militia, waiting till their masters get ready 
to run. Can’t you see that the scamps are 
not mounted ? They ’ll blaze away at the 



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GENERAL MORGAN STANDS AT BAY. 291 

empty air for a shot or two, then they will 
cut stick for their mounts, and be off, leav- 
ing the men on the hill to do the real fight- 
ing. We won’t have it real warm until we 
come in touch with them.” 

Right, Burke ! ” said the colonel, ap- 
provingly. ^^But where is the cavalry? 
There must be some somewhere.” 

Probably in reserve. Colonel, behind the 
hill, waiting until we are disorganised.” 

«Yery likely — very likely. They’ll 
have grey heads if they wait till then, even 
if we let them stay on their shoulders. 
Well, gentlemen, time presses. I think we 
have seen all there is to be seen ; take note 
of it and let your comrades know. The 
cavalry is non est — or else in hiding. The 
hilltop holds the main line; then come 
the horses, dismounted — gad, we must get 
you a few remounts out of them at least 1 
— then at the foot stand the militia, all 
ready to run like cattle, tails in air.” 

And then come the skirmishers ! ” cried 
Lord Egerton, suddenly. Look out, sir ! ” 
and the lieutenant ducked like a fiash down 
behind his horse. He had seen that done 


292 


Morgan’s men. 


once before, not many days back, by a 
figure in yellow mounted on a black steed, 
and he was intelligent enough to put it into 
instant practice when really needed. 

Jove, you ’re right, Lef tenant ! ” cried 
the colonel, hastily wheeling his horse as a 
little shower of balls droned like bees 
through the group. Hit, my lord ? ” 

Another miss. Colonel ! ” was the cheery 
reply. I was too quick for them. They 
took off the heel of my boot, and the spur 
with it ; and the back of my saddle looks 
as though the rats had dined ofi it.'’ 

It does, for a fact ! ” laughed his supe- 
rior as they galloped away from the danger- 
ous locality. It was well you dodged in 
time. They seem to have a grudge against 
you, or your red coat. — But it is time for 
business. To your posts, gentlemen. Lef- 
tenant, remain with me. Bugler, sound the 
^ Advance ! ’” and the air twinkled and 
flashed as Tarleton gave an irresistibly en- 
thusiastic twirl of his sword in a circle 
above his head. 

Oh, what a gallant, stirring sight that 
was, as without a pause, without a falter, 


GENERAL MORGAN STANDS AT BAY. 293 

that battle rank began its onset, keeping 
perfect line! Onward, boot to boot, the 
flanking horsemen forged with jingling 
bridle and soft thud of hoofs upon the sod. 
Onward strode the silent infantry with 
steady swish 1 swish I of a thousand feet 
among the grasses keeping perfect time. 
Onward followed the reserve, still at the 
exact distance from the front as at the 
start, cool, determined, steady as though 
on parade before the eyes of ladies and of 
kings, and as his swift eyes glanced from 
right to left as he overlooked his stern 
array, — 

Magnificent ! ” murmured Tarleton the 
soldier, enthusiastically to himself. 

A hundred yards had now been traversed, 
and the enemy was that much nearer. 
Some of their skirmishers had fallen back 
and merged with the militia’s irregular line. 
Here and there in that line stood men erect 
among the herbage, men whose aim was 
sure, who wasted no second ball upon a 
flying deer, and now with iron nerve stood 
waiting the command, meanwhile selecting 
in advance this or that one as their future 


294 


Morgan’s men. 


mark. Here and there in little groups or 
singly crouched others in the grass, less 
sure of their aim off-hand, and taking 
vantage of a rest on knee and elbow ; while 
around them fell a Sabbath stillness as 
they waited. And silently Tarleton’s men 
marched on. 

Back in the squadron of Tarleton’s Horse, 
among the old reliables ” held in stern 
reserve, a little knot of red coats showed 
among the green, like a cluster of scarlet 
roses set in a hedge of thorn. There rode 
Sergeant Wilde, and with him the little 
group of Lord Egerton’s escort, silent men 
and true. 

Orders ” were all they cared for. 

Orders ” had transferred them from the 
ranks of Lord Cornwallis and placed them 
here among a troop of devils, — as more 
than one honest Englishman among them 
thought ; and up there beyond them on the 
hillside were more devils, with whom pres- 
ently they were to fight. But what cared 
they for that ? Fighting was good for 
Englishmen, and after all, since they had 
crossed the water they had not had over- 


GENERAL MORGAN STANDS AT BAY. 295 

much of real fighting. Now, perhaps, there 
were better times ahead ; and at the thought 
each sat up a bit straighter in his saddle, 
set back his shoulders with the thought 
When are Englishmen ever beaten?” and 
tightened unconsciously his bridle-rein only 
to meet the instant word from Wilde : — 
Steady, men ! ” 

In that troop at that moment no horse’s 
head must forge beyond another’s. 

Riding near them their lieutenant found 
time to turn and give them a swift, cheery 
glance, a nod of encouragement, and a warn- 
ing word of reminder as to his previous in- 
structions. And each gave a side-glance of 
his own at his nearest comrade, as though 
to fix in mind just where he was in case he 
could give him help in the rush to come ; 
while Lord Egerton himself, outwardly a 
perfect example of propriety in the eyes of 
men, was thinking to himself : — 

What a beastly shame it is for men to 
have to kill one another on such a lovely 
day ! I wonder if that fellow, Stuart, will 
get another chance to pot me, or if I can 
get him within reach of sword ? ” 


296 


Morgan’s men. 


Here and there his eyes searched the 
nearing militia line beyond the intervening 
heads of the British soldiery, but nowhere 
could he identify his enterprising foeman’s 
form. Yet there he had expected to find 
him, in the irregular ranks ; and from there, 
as an ofiic.er, he might soon expect a bullet. 
So setting his teeth he adjusted his nerve 
to the doing of this new duty; and men 
behind him took new courage from his care- 
less, easy poise. 

From around the hill in the rear of the 
enemy suddenly appeared a horseman, a dot 
of yellow on a blot of black, topping the 
rise along the western slope and sweeping 
downward with a steady canter so long and 
easy of rh3rbhm that only the swift passage 
of shrub and brake betrayed its speed. 
Many a horseman’s eye flashed envy from 
the ranks of the dragoons, as they watched 
that flight along the hillside like the drift- 
ing shadow of a cloud, and Tarleton’s 
flashed red. 

Onward came the rider, nearer and 
clearer, until he reached the militia line ; 
then, slacking speed, he seemed to be giving 


GENERAL MORGAN STANDS AT BAY. 297 

some last word of encouragement to the 
kneeling men, answered here and there by 
a wave of a hunter’s hand. Then, having 
traversed their line from end to end, he rode 
straight up the hill to the waiting soldiery, 
made some report to officers in their rear, 
and vanished from sight beyond. 

As though in response, a general officer 
came down the hill, conferred a moment 
with the leader of the militia, and in his 
turn, like a careful commander, inspected 
the militia line, then cheerily cantered his 
steed up the hillside; and here and there 
among the British soldiery was whispered 
the word, Morgan ! Morgan ! ” 

Lord Egerton glanced for a moment at 
his chief inquiringly, but the latter made 
no sign. He was busily watching the 
steady advance of his lines. What cared 
he for Morgan then, or for any other man ? 

Up among the militia here and there a 
man looked grimmer, if possible, than before ; 
and from his place of command among 
them Andrew Pickens scanned his men 
with fiery eyes, saying : — 

Boys, remember what Morgan said — 


298 


Morgan’s men. 


don’t break till you have given them two 
good low volleys, and he will take care of 
the rest. But can’t we do better than 
that?” 

And a low murmur of response swept 
athwart the slope, and men looked grimmer 
yet. Then along that line clicked a low, 
irregular clicking as of gigantic insects 
signalling, — sharp, metallic, short. It be- 
gan in a second, it ceased in a second. Then 
again a hushed silence fell ; and in the sun- 
light above their heads, back and forth, 
zigzag along the low array, wavered in 
flight a winter butterfly, enticed from its 
snug quarters by the fairness of the day. 


CHAPTER XXI. 


BATTLE. HOW COLONEL TARLETON MET 
A REAL GENERAL ’’ AT LAST. 

r)ST-PST ! « Pst-pst ! ” 

Jr They were well within range, now, 
of those standing, kneeling, yellow-clad 
men. 

Sluck ! ” — and Captain Twickenham 
reels in his saddle and drops into tenderly 
waiting arms. 

Crack ! ” — and Captain Brannan’s 
horse leaped his own length forward, shak- 
ing spatters of red from a hole in his ear 
through which a ball had torn after glanc- 
ing from a buckle in the bridle. What 
fatally good marks those officers’ uniforms 
made ! Already here and there a saddle 
was empty — fifteen. Lord Egerton hastily 
reported to his chief. Trained riflemen, 
evidently, were those skirmishers in their 
front, and the young colonel ground his 
teeth in silent rage. 


300 


Morgan’s men. 


But see ! they are running ! Nimble- 
footed as wolves, from briar-patch and 
shrub-tuft a score of fleet runners broke 
cover and raced for the distant militia 
line, chased by ironical cheers from the 
advancing soldiery, whose turn to fight 
was soon to come. It had come, for Du- 
pont the watchful caught his fiery chief’s 
nod, and instantly, with yells of drivers and 
slash of raw-hide, out into the open rushed 
the little battery, right in the teeth of the 
hostile riflemen, and unlimbering swung 
into action front. Ten seconds, perhaps, 
to catch the elevation, then two shudder- 
ing roars echoed from woodland to wood- 
land, and from the fire-jetting cloud of 
smoke two cannon-balls hurtled through the 
militia line and went bounding and rico- 
cheting up the hillside, ploughing a trail for 
themselves in the sod. 

To their places leaped the cannoneers, 
active as cats. Number 1 wielding the 
sponge-stafi dripping with water as black 
as ink. A swift pass or two, then Num- 
ber 3 with his leather-armed thumb closed 
the vent as Number 2 leaped to the muzzle 


TARLETON MET A REAL GENERAL. 301 

with cartridge and ball which Number 1 
sent home down the cavernous mouth of 
the gun with a thud. Backward springs 
Number I with his sponge-staff, and at the 
signal that all is ready the gunner in charge 
of the gun who gave it sights swiftly along 
its brazen length, and before the echoes cease 
two more sullen roars go crashing after them, 
and the iron globes go flying with splendid 
aim and true. Then as their comrades ar- 
rive on either flank, Limber front ! ” is 
the word ; round wheel the guns, and Gal- 
lop ! rings the order, and with thump and 
rumble away they go for a nearer position 
yet, right in the face of the threatening foe, 
and the sulphurous thunder begins once 
more. 

Number 1 threw up his arms and fell. 
Number 2 seized his rammer in his place ; 
and a driver darted from the horses at the 
call of the gunner to fill the gap left by 
Number 2. Number 3 must stay to close 
that vent when the charge is rammed home, 
or a premature explosion will blow Number 
1 from the mouth of the gun. Then the 
heavy cloud of smoke from their muzzles 


302 


Morgan’s men. 


masks them like a curtain, and only a 
chance shot rings against the metal or 
sends splinters flying from the solid felloes 
of the wheels; and their murderous roar 
keeps on, and on. 

Onward without a shot trudge the si- 
lent infantry. Their muskets nor their aim 
can be trusted at that range. Onward at 
their flanks plod the heavy-footed horses, 
weary, and ignorant of danger as they are. 
Still the militia line in front is also silent, 
still in line save for the gap where they 
have withdrawn to either side to give free 
passage to the round shot. A little nearer, 
— they are only about a hundred yards 
away, — then from his place Lord Egerton 
suddenly saw that long line vanish behind 
a cloud. At the second the air around him 
hummed and droned like the passing of a 
flight of bees ; then the rattling crash of a 
hundred and fifty rifles mingled new echoes 
with those that had gone before, and all 
along the line in front of him the lieutenant 
saw men plunging forward by twos and 
threes in groups that counted to scores. 
And his heart stood still. But no ! brave 


TARLETON MET A REAL GENERAL. 303 

men they were, those others, and Close 
up ! close up, men ! ’’ came the hoarse com- 
mands ; and on they went unfaltering, those 
that were on their feet ! Soon they would 
be in reach themselves — and then ! Each 
gripped his gun the tighter at the thought, 
and the bayonets glistened thirstily in the 
swaying line above their heads. 

Again came the crack of Pickens’s rifles, 
again and yet again, in semi-volleys, and 
in spattering shots, for well were his men 
redeeming Morgan’s hopes ; yet smoke, and 
haste, and the rage of fighting were doing 
their work with the aim, and fewer men 
than at first were falling among the ad- 
vancing ranks. Then, like snow, the 
militia melted away. 

Huzza! men, they are running! they 
are running!” yelled Tarleton, exultantly. 
^^Lord Egerton, ride for your life to the 
right squadron and bid them charge in 
chase ! For-r’ard, men ! For-r’ard ! right up 
the hill and at them ! There ’s our mark ! ” 

And cheering, no longer shoulder to 
shoulder, up the slope they raced, while the 
right wing, obedient to the word, went off at 


304 


Morgan’s men. 


full gallop after the flying militia and 
vanished around the hill. 

Stern and silent the dark line of the 
Maryland men awaited them until they got 
the range; then like a wall of fire they 
crowned the little rise. Only the roar of 
their muskets, the stern orders of their 
ofiicers, — Load ! ” Prime ! ” Ready ! ” 
— and right there the charge was checked. 
Men fired blindly upward instead of advanc- 
ing. The line surged forward for rods, then 
swayed back again, still wildly firing ; but 
onward they could not go. 

With wrath fully flashing eyes the colonel 
turned to his reserve battalion, his best, his 
steadiest men. Still in line they stood, 
awaiting orders, and at his mute gesture of 
command instantly they were in motion. 
With an oblique march they cleared the 
masking flank of the front line and swept 
straight up athwart the slope overlapping 
the right of the continentals, — a deadly 
charge. Few indeed are the troops that 
can stand a flanking fire ; and the men of 
the reserve squadron tightened the grip on 
bridle, and stirred the mettle of their steeds 


TARLETON MET A REAL GENERAL. 305 

with heel and spur, waiting the order as 
soon as the line in buff and blue gave way. 

“ Huzza ! steady, men ; wait for the 
word ! ” cried the young lieutenant, more 
excited than his men. They ’re breaking ! 
They never can stand that ! Steady ! I told 
you so — there they go backward fast ! ” 
And backward they were going ; not 
beaten, not defeated, but swinging back to 
a new line as a gate swings, to guard 
against that deadly overlap. But others 
see the falling back, and without orders 
begin to fall back too ; and quick to seize 
the chance, Tarleton stood high in his stir- 
rups and shouted clear above the din of 
battle : 

Now, men ! Now ! Now ! Drive them ! ” 
Then, thrilled to mad enthusiasm, each 
man took the command to himself, gripped 
his gun fiercer, and charged home! And 
behind them, fretting for their word, the 
men in the left and the reserve squadrons 
swung their helmets in defiance of disci- 
pline and yelled, Victory 1 Victory 1 ” 

But what is this? A thunder of hoofs 
and a battle roar beyond there on the right. 


20 


306 


Morgan’s men. 


where the right squadron had vanished 
around the hill in chase of the militia! 
And horsemen were darting back in twos 
and threes, with chins on their shoulders, as 
though they feared pursuit; then came 
more of them, and a black frown swept 
across Tarleton’s face — were they beaten ? 
By whom? Beaten? Yea! for there comes 
the wreck of that squadron, with a cloud of 
horsemen better mounted, shouting, hewing, 
hacking at their rear, and driving them, 
wildly disorganised, in upon the infantry 
flank, the plunging horses spreading terror ! 

And what is this ? What are those yellow- 
clad men upon their own left and rear ? 

^^By Heavens, the militia have rallied 
and galloped around the hill ! ” cried Lord 
Egerton to his bewildered chief; and in 
that second the dark Maryland line ceased 
to retrograde, swung its heavy muskets to 
a level as one man, and at thirty yards’ 
range gave one sulphurous volley. Hardly 
had the long thunder died, when loud and 
clear above the stunned silence which fol- 
lowed came the stern order, — 

Charge ! ” 


TARLETON MET A REAL GENERAL. 307 

Then through the smoke burst on the in- 
stant a line of levelled, glittering steel. 
Down the slope came those grim Maryland 
men in deadly order, straight at their stag- 
gering, bleeding, panic-stricken foes. And 
what was it they were shouting, — victory ? 
No ! It was more ominous than that. 
Small wonder that it drove the last sem- 
blance of discipline from the brains of that 
confused mob which had been an army; 
for, right and left and centre came the 
far-reaching cry which who could better 
interpret than that wrecked line, — 

Tarleton’s quarters ! Tarleton’s quar- 
ters ! 

For Heaven’s sake, away ! ” cried Lord 
Egerton, making a dive at the bridle of his 
chief. 

It was time! Right where they stood 
by scores the men were flinging down their 
guns and begging mercy of their charging 
foes; by scores the dragoons were falling 
from their wearied horses, on which they 
could not hope to flee ; and here and there 
swift, earnest voices of command were 
checking that murderous vengeance among 


308 


Morgan’s men. 


the lunging blades. And with a curse that 
ended in a groan, the colonel flung up his 
hand with a gesture of despair and turned 
his horse away, — he, and two or three 
others of his stafl whose mounts were 
better than those of the rank and file. 

Almost was he too late even now, for 
out from the writhing mob a giant trooper 
darted, yelled a rallying cry, and without 
waiting for further following, single-handed, 
plunged straight at them. Instantly the 
lieutenant who was nearest wheeled his 
horse, but barely in time to ward a tremen- 
dous blow, which otherwise would have 
cleft him to the chin. Like a sledge-ham- 
mer fell the return stroke, and so starkly 
delivered that the great trooper’s less trust- 
worthy steel was shattered near the hilt. 
Now it was his turn! 

But ha 1 a new foe ! Right at him came 
a boyish form on a spirited horse, one hand 
holding both reins and trumpet, the other 
his only weapon, and shouting, To the 
rescue ! the colonel 1 the colonel 1 ” and at 
the flash of the well-aimed pistolet Lord 
Egerton felt a tremendous shock in his 


TARLETON MET A REAL GENERAL. 309 

shoulder, and his sword arm dropped as 
though paralyzed. 

At him, Brannan ! he gasped, wheel- 
ing out of the way, and that dragoon swung 
in to the fray; but a stalwart sergeant- 
major interposed as though he had sprung 
from the ground, and the captain had 
enough to do to guard his head. Then 
Tarleton, as though awaking from a daze, 
stared fixedly at the gigantic form beyond 
the struggling twain and cried, — 

It ’s Washington ! ” 

With a bound he laid Muskrat along- 
side the others horse; and crash! crash! 
fell his blows straight at his enemy’s face. 
Flushed with the light of battle, steadied 
by his peril, with a gay smile upon his lips, 
stroke after stroke the continental deftly 
parried with his few inches of blade and 
sword-hilt, as a Dyak chief wields his three- 
inch shield, fighting for time only, — all he 
needed to complete his victory. 

But what was that beyond coming to the 
rescue ? A score of men in yellow ; and in 
front of them, coming like the wind, rode 
one with a captain’s epaulettes and mounted 


310 


Morgan’s men. 


on a fiery black. Tarleton knew that 
horse’s speed. He knew that rider’s blade. 
If he was to escape at all it must be now 
or never ! 

Backing Muskrat he drew a pistol — 
how he regretted then the loss of his own 
tried weapons ! — and fired full, not at the 
rider, but at the horse beneath ; then 
wheeled, and sending both spurs home, away 
he went like mad after his few retreating 
friends. And after him like mad swept the 
gallant black, and after them the men in 
buckskin; and more than one or two of 
those fiying dragoons ere long halted per- 
force, faced about, and held both hands high 
above the head in token of surrender ; and 
they were cutting down the distance of the 
rest. But hark ! 

Far in the rear came the soft, mellow 
note of a horn, once, twice, thrice, in long 
level notes, most musical, yet never more 
unwelcome ! and on the instant up flew the 
captain’s hand aloft. 

^^Halt!” 

Why, Cap’n, we mought hev’ ’im in ten 
minutes ! ” expostulated Gavin Paynt in 


TARLETON MET A REAL GENERAL. 311 

wrath, as on Stuart’s second mount ” he 
angrily drew rein. 

Sorry, men ! ” — and by the curtness of 
his speech they knew he was holding in his 
own feelings by but a mighty effort — 
Sorry, men! but there’s no help for it. 
You heard the recall.” 


CHAPTER XXII. 


THE KEBEL MAIL-BAG, AND THE LETTER 
FROM MASSACHUSETTS.” 

H — ah — hum ! ” yawned a sleepy 



V_>/ subaltern, clasping his hands behind 
his head and leaning back in fashion most 
unmilitary. 

Steve, this is dull work ! ” 

From the room beyond came a tinkle of 
glasses and a hum of voices in accents com- 
mon overseas, though not so common there- 
abouts. Also at intervals came the rustle 
of papers. 

Depend upon it, gentlemen — excuse 
me. Colonel, your glass is empty; permit 
me ! — depend upon it, this is our proper 
plan for a most effective campaign. 
Charleston is ours, Georgetown is ours, 
and we have full command of the sea. 
All of the Southern Carolinas are ours, 
either in heart or overawed; and in time 
we will press Mr. Greene backward until 


THE MAIL-BAG AND THE LETTER. 313 

he must fight. And when that comes there 
can be but one ending. See for yourselves, 
gentlemen, how the land is cut by rivers. 
It may be long in coming, but sooner or 
later we will be at his back in force, with 
a swollen river in his front ; and when that 
happens, we gather into our net the last 
armed opposition that this part of the coun- 
try can present.” 

It certainly seems so, my lord ; and 
our men are in splendid fettle. If anything, 
they are almost too confident.” 

As we are ourselves,” laughed Lord 
Cornwallis, rolling up the map and moving 
it aside. First, we must catch our enemy. 
And that, we must acknowledge, has been 
our difficulty for some time past. However, 
a little more patience will do it. Let me 
see, — it is about time, now, I think, for 
a courier from Colonel Tarleton.” 

“ Hardly yet, sir. He had first to over- 
take his enemy, then fight him ; and hard 
rider though the colonel is, this time his 
infantry would measure his progress.” 

True ! true ! but men march fast when 
hot in pursuit. I will wager, gentlemen. 


314 


moegan’s men. 


that Colonel Webster is mistaken, and that 
the battle has been fought by now. Take 
note of the time, if you please! and the 
stakes — what shall they be. Colonel ? shall 
we say a dinner for the staff ? 

One moment, my lordT’ interposed an 
aide. I shall regret to lose my share of 
the stakes, but I know you are too good a 
sportsman to wish to bet on a certainty, 
and from the window yonder I can see 
horsemen now. Their nags are thoroughly 
used up, so they must be from Tarleton.” 

By the Lord, yes ! and they don’t look 
happy,” exclaimed another officer who had 
a better command of the view, springing to 
his feet and adjusting a field glass. Men, 
it is Tarleton ! Tarleton himself. But 
where are the rest? There are not three 
hundred with him.” 

There was a dead silence in the room. 
Many a man in that missing army was a 
dear personal friend of some one in that 
room ; so waited they, in silence, until the 
saddened cavalcade, weary-footed, slowly 
trotted into camp. Tarleton himself sat 
erect in saddle, and essayed a smile, as of 


THE MAIL-BAG AND THE LETTER. 315 

one beaten in fact yet not in spirit; but 
the air of dejection that shrouded them all 
was too clear to be mistaken, — and then 
their news was told. 

Cornwallis received them pleasantly, nay 
cordially. He did not forget, as many do, 
the past successes of his lieutenant in sight 
of the present failure, and he endeavoured 
to cheer him with such cheer as the case 
permitted, — the hope of future vengeance. 
It worked to a charm so far as the colonel 
was concerned ; but, although like a high- 
bred gentleman in undeserved misfortune 
the earl preserved a calm, unruffled front, 
for precious hours inwardly he was as one 
stunned. First Ferguson, with his strong 
regiment; now Tarleton^ with so vital a 
part of his strength, his light infantry, — 
how many more such blows could his little 
army stand ? And for one long, valuable 
day he made no counter-move in his game 
of war, although revolving many things. 
But he gathered his staff around him, and 
by his mien persuaded many that all would 
yet be well, and the loss but one of the 
casual accidents of war. 


316 


mokgan’s men. 


One thing cheered him, — the return of 
Lord Egerton, who was rather a favourite 
of his. He even essayed a jest or two at 
his expense. 

Here is our wandering aide at last, safe 
if not sound,” he remarked, extending his 
hand. Did you find the ‘ service ’ you 
went for, my lord ? ” 

Sir, they fought like fiends ! ” was 
the sententious reply with such hearty 
emphasis that the earl and half a dozen 
others burst out laughing. 

^^How was it, — your part of it, Eger- 
ton ? ” asked his colonel, kindly. 

We chased them day and night, sir, and 
came up with them at daybreak, in open 
country. We went at them and were driving 
them when they rallied and wrapped them- 
selves right around us, and the affair was 
ended in a dozen seconds — so it seemed to 
me. Such a fustigation no army of His Maj- 
esty has received this year. Only the best 
mounted of us could cut our way through, 
save a few who happened to be beyond the 
fianking lines — and — the men of my es- 
cort — ” he faltered and could go no further. 


THE MAIL-BAG AND THE LETTER. 317 

^^They were killed ? ’' asked Colonel 
Webster in a low voice. 

I — think not, sir. I hope not. Colo- 
nel Tarleton chose me as his aide, and I was 
with him when the crash came. When I 
saw them last they were still together in a 
scarlet knot, and, so far as I could see 
beyond the swarming rebels, they were 
still mounted, all of them. They could 
only surrender, and — I hope they did.” 

Have you any doubt of it ? ” asked the 
earl, in surprise. 

Yes, my lord, I have ; for here and 
there all over that field I could hear a 
shout rising, — ^ Tarleton’ s quarters ! ’ ” 
There was an ominous silence. Tarleton 
himself was silent. If he felt as he looked, 
however, no one in that room would have 
changed places with him for an earldom. 

Well, we must hope for the best, gentle- 
men,” said Lord Cornwallis, recovering him- 
self. Even our leftenant-colonel sheathes 
his sword at times. What have you there. 
Captain Brannan ? ” 

It appears to be a rebel mail-bag, sir. 
During the retreat we overtook a loyalist 


318 


Morgan’s men 


who was bringing it to you. I understood 
him to say that he had ^ picked it up ’ 
while scouting around in the rear of Mr. 
Greene. I found he had no information 
that we did not possess, so I gave him a 
guinea and saved him the journey, which 
suited him exactly, as he could return and 
plunder some more. But I have not had 
time to examine it.” 

^^We may as well look it over. Even 
private soldier-letters sometimes contain 
valuable data about the enemy’s move- 
ments and condition. Let us sit down 
around the fire, gentlemen, while Captain 
Brannan reads them to us — gently. Cap- 
tain, break the seals gently ; we may have 
a use for the missives.” 

This one seems to be a commissary 
report addressed to General Greene, sir.” 
And the gist of it ? ” 

The summary shows provisions enough 
for a large army, but a shortage in clothing 
and trenching tools.” 

The earl nodded thoughtfully at the 
fire. 

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THE MAIL-BAG AND THE LETTER. 319 

unfolded and read, some public, more pri- 
vate, on the outside of which, at the earl’s 
hint, were jotted down such data as were of 
value. Presently the aide took up another, 
paused, and called for candles, as it was 
growing dark. In the interim he turned 
the missive over, and raising it to his nose, 
gave several deep sniffs. A laugh ran 
around the group. 

Are you kissing that letter, Brannan, 
in default of the writer ? ” 

How do you know she ’s that fair ? ” 
The captain laughed. 

I don’t ; I can only judge. And you 
men are envious of my chance, for it is as 
daintily scented a missive as ever was sent 
to a member of the House of Lords. I would 
be willing to wager that the writer is fair 
to look upon and a little lady. If you will 
hasten those candles, somebody, you will 
hear it the sooner. Ah, here they are ! 
this delicate hillet-doux is addressed, gentle- 
men, to Captain Stuart Schuyler.’^ 

Eh ? What ! ejaculated Lord Egerton 
in amaze, whipping up erect from his in- 
different pose. 


320 


Morgan’s men. 


Do you know him, Lef tenant ? ” asked 
the earl, in some surprise. 

I Ve heard the name, sir, — before the 
war,” the young man answered with some 
constraint, and Captain Brannan resumed 
his reading. 

“ Dear, dear, dear Stuart, — Your letter 
has just come to us by the hand of a returning 
soldier, and never did any play-actor in the city 
make such a marvellous and amazing trans- 
formation scene ! Papa was poring over a great 
bundle of musty deeds and papers which he 
said would make us all wondrous rich one of 
these fine days; Rhoda sat by the fire braiding 
trace-corn to hang up in the attic for seed next 
year ; and I, oh, I was just the idle one, poking 
little holes in the ashes and burying little coals, 
and seeing how long they smoked even when 
buried out of sight. Then came a stamping 
and a blowing in the snow outside, and a huge 
thump of the knocker; but I never looked 
around. Then I heard papa cry out just like 
a boy — ‘‘ Huzza ! huzza ! it ’s from Stuart I ” 
And away went his papers everyway like 
snowflakes, and away went the corn-ears as 
though it were seed-time, and away went papa 
and Rhoda just dancing, Stuart, all over the 
kitchen floor I And if you ever saw a sailor 


THE MAIL-BAG AND THE LETTER. 321 

dance — but of course you must often, long 
ago. 

“ But oh, how thankful we were, Stuart, to 
learn that you had gotten safely out of the 
hands of that terrible Tarleton ! ” 

Eh ? what ! ’’ cried Lord Egerton and 
Colonel Tarleton in the same breath. 

Ton my word, it is so set down ! ’’ 
grinned Captain Brannan, and resumed. 

“And how very, very odd that you should 
have made that exchange of that frightful 
Muskrat for his beautiful Tartar.” 

Great Caesar!'’ murmured Lord Eger- 
ton to himself, smiling, while from all parts 
of the room came first a smothered titter, 
then a laugh, which finally culminated in a 
hearty roar, in which even the earl had to 
join, the laughter smothering a sound from 
one quarter that was like unto the gnash- 
ing of teeth and a bitter curse. 

“And now that it is all safely over, how 
monstrously interesting it all is to look back 
upon, and to think that you are now a captain ! 
and have seen at close hand so many British 
officers, and some of them most famous J Papa 
21 


322 


Morgan's men. 


said that he once saw Colonel Webster, himself, 
and is glad to hear, even if he is a Britisher, 
that he is a fine, good man.” 

Ho ! Ho ! Colonel, you Ve got it now ! " 
laughed the earl out of the chorus of delight. 

Gad, the minx will be writing about me 
next ! Go on, Brannan ! " 

“ And Rhoda says in her outspoken way that 
she thinks your Lord Egerton is just a dear ! ” 

^^Now you have it, Egerton, deah boy! 
Who bets on the next ? " came the shout, 
while the young lieutenant turned scarlet, 
and said a strong word softly to himself. 

“ And she hopes that it will be his turn to be 
captivated sometime, and when it comes, for you 
to send him up to her to look at, as she never 
saw a real live lord.” 

^^Gad, Leftenant, we must be specially 
careful of you hereafter! No more hunts 
for you ^ to see service ! ' " — and the men 
roared. 

“But I know that you 11 aim at still higher 
game, and when you come you will bring Earl 
Cornwallis at your belt — or on your crupper.” 


THE MAIL-BAG AND THE LETTER. 323 

There ! I knew the little vixen would n’t 
leave me out ! ” chuckled the commander- 
in-chief. ^^Go on, Brannan.” 

“But now, dear Stuart, for the strangest 
thing ! A little after your letter came, papa was 
out with his men, cutting wood, and I went with 
them to keep their dinner warm, and across the 
snow came your old guardian, Mr. Vandervere I ” 

What ! ” cried Lord Egerton and Colo- 
nel Tarleton in the same breath, staring at 
the reader. 

“ He tried to find out where you were, and 
said that he had some papers to give you when 
you are twenty-one, — which of course we knew 
before, although he did not know I knew. He 
was very provoking in his questions, so I fear 
I was not as ladylike and civil as is becoming 
— but he was so provoking! But I remem- 
bered in time for you, and told him anything 
he might write you we would forward when we 
could, so he went away again, looking pleased ; 
and papa said afterward that he must have 
come ever so far — clear from New York, just 
to find out about you, and then went right 
back again. 

“We are having fine skating and sleighing. 


324 


Morgan’s men. 


To-night the moon sheds a flood of light over 
the earth, silvering the snow-covered trees and 
housetops and revealing the ice-covered pond 
like a darkened mirror surrounded by myriads 
of diamonds, filling one with gratitude to the 
loving Father who delights to give his children 
beautiful things to enjoy. I wonder if you are 
sitting before the campfire at this moment think- 
ing of home friends, as I sometimes sit before 
the fireplace and dream, and pray that soon, 
very soon, this long, cruel war will end.” 

That’s all, General ; there was just room 
on the paper to squeeze in the writer’s 
signature, — ^ Pearl Hathaway.’ ” 

There was a momentary silence. The 
general said, rather dreamily, as though to 
himself, ^*She is a pearl.” 

Perhaps he, too, was thinking of home 
and friends. 

A voice broke in on their silence, one 
thick with passion, — 

General, I want that letter ! ” 

^^Why?” — and the earl looked up, 
surprised. 

With that in hand as evidence, if I ever 
lay my hands on that fellow again I’ll 


THE MAIL-BAG AND THE LETTER. 325 

hang him, hang him ! hang him — higher 
than Haman ! 

General, I protest ! — and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Webster straightened up his soldierly 
form, taking the same words out of Lord 
Egerton’s mouth. 

I protest against making that innocent 
girl give evidence so fatal against her sweet- 
heart. It would ruin her life forever and 
a day; and we are not here to war on 
women.” 

To hide it is treason ! ” 

It is not ! ” 

Gentlemen, gentlemen, you are forget- 
ting yourselves. Colonel Tarleton, your 
idea is technically correct and does credit to 
your military education. Colonel Webster, 
your idea does equal credit to you as a 
gentleman. However, Colonel Tarleton 
has yet to catch his man, and many acci- 
dents of war are likely to intervene, while 
as Colonel Webster so rightly says, we are 
not warring with women. I think the 
public service will not be harmed if we 
ignore the contents of this particular letter ; 
what say you, gentlemen — all ? Aye ? Lord 


326 


Morgan’s men. 


Egerton, I will ask you to make a tran- 
script of Captain Brannan’s notes, restore 
all the private letters to the mail-bag, and 
retain possession of it until we are con- 
veniently near to Mr. Greene’s forces, when 
I authorise you to convey it to him under a 
flag of truce, and with my compliments. 
And now, gentlemen, we march in pursuit 
of Morgan at daylight on the morrow. To 
your duties, and God defend the right.” 

But oh, the wistful, burning glance 
with which Lieutenant-Colonel Banastre 
Tarleton eyed that mail-bag as he passed it 
on his way out, and moodily sought the 
quarters of the remnant of his chosen men ! 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


THE FLAG OF TRUCE, AND HOW 
LORD EGERTON AGAIN MET 
CAPTAIN SCHUYLER. 

T T 7HY, Tom Ludlow ! where did you 
V Y drop from ? ’’ and Captain Schuyler 
sprang forward to clasp with both hands 
the long lieutenant, grinning broadly down 
upon him from his superior height. 

Just got here, Stuart, with the general. 
We heard of your little fight on the Broad 
and left everything to come on and look 
after you. Made a hundred and fifty miles 
as the crow flies, and did n’t wiggle much 
out of line, either. What have ^ you-uns ’ 
been doing ?” 

Just the prettiest fight I ever was in, 
Tom. I wish you could have seen it! 
Splendidly planned, well fought, and right 
in the open against a superior force ; and 
when we got through, we had more prison- 
ers than we had men! That tells the 


328 Morgan’s men. 

story. It ought to make General Morgan 
immortal.” 

’T won’t, though ! There were n’t any 
congressmen in his council, and they are 
the only immortals, you know.” 

Hush ! don’t talk treason, Tom. What 
are you here for, anyway ? ” 

Oh, just to look after you, take general 
command, and such small things. Corn- 
wallis isn’t likely to rest a minute, you 
know, after such doings as you fellows 
have been at. I expect he has been march- 
ing right lively on your trail ever since. 
You ought to be grateful to have us relieve 
you of responsibility — but you don’t look 
it,” and the staff-officer gave a smile suit- 
able to a staff-officer. 

Thanks,” replied the young captain a 
little drily. We might have worried 
along, I imagine. If you have come to 
take your share of the scouting, however, 
I shall get more sleep, perhaps.” 

You do look a little worn, Stuart, that ’s 
a fact,” said his comrade, scanning him 
closely. ^^Well, just you put in a claim 
for rest and I ’ll take your share for a day 


THE FLAG OF TRUCE. 329 

or two. Staff duty hasn’t made me for- 
get how. Hullo, what now ? ” 

Far away to the south, in the direction 
of the Catawba and from beyond it, came 
the mellow twang of a bugle, softened by 
distance till the notes were pure and sweet. 
Nevertheless, Tom Ludlow’s keen ears de- 
tected something quaint in the notes of that 
instrument, and he remarked placidly : — 

That bugle ’s out of tune — miles too 
flat ! ” 

Stuart started and said hurriedly : — 

That fellow is sounding a ^ parley,’ 
Tom ! I must tell the General. Good-bye 
— till later,” and he started on a run for 
headquarters. 

Excuse me. General, but there is a 
bugle on the south bank of the Catawba 
sounding a truce.” 

Both generals turned from their con- 
ference. 

Ah, Captain Schuyler ? I am glad 
to meet you again. A parley, did you 
say ? ” 

Yes, sir ; and I may say that the bugle 
is Tarleton’s.” 


330 


Morgan's men. 


Now you say it, I thought I had heard 
that trumpet before ! ” said General Morgan, 
smiling. And not many days ago. Shall 
I send an officer out to see, sir ? " 

Yes, if you please ; but not the captain, 
here. From what I 've learned I believe 
Tarleton would violate a flag of truce itself 
in order to lay hands on this young man," 
and General Greene smiled genially at the 
somewhat confused face of the youth. 

“ Faith," laughed Morgan, I don't 
know what grudge he has had against him 
in the past, but he certainly has one now, 
sir ! I don’t know any man among us who 
has made more trouble for him during our 
retreat than the captain. He was Colonel 
Washington's right-hand man, and I am 
glad to be the one to tell you — for reasons 
that we need not discuss.” 

“ Good ! I am very glad to hear this of 
you. Captain. I shall see that General 
Washington hears of it also. You may 
retire, now, if you please,” and Stuart with 
a medley of feelings hard to describe, re- 
tired,” accordingly, from the presence of 
the man who had practically ordered him 


THE FLAG OF TRUCE. 331 

shot, and now thus publicly reinstated him 
with their commander-in-chief. 

Meanwhile, on the south bank of the 
Catawba a small bugler sat on his horse as 
haughtily as the herald of some Black 
Douglas of old, awaiting a reply to his 
summons. He led a sumpter-mule, and 
carried a white flag, while by his side rode 
an officer in scarlet. 

Hello ! ’’ came the shout from the 
bushes beyond the water. 

We carry a message to your general! ” 
was the return. 

All right, kim over. The ford ’s right 
thar!’^ 

With splash and flounder the reluctant 
beasts were compelled to enter the swirling 
flood, which was perceptibly higher than a 
few hours ago. 

^^You will wish to blindfold us, I sup- 
pose ? ” said the new-comer, pleasantly, sal- 
uting the officer in charge of the guard. 

Oh, Lord, no 1 what 's the use ? ” was the 
indolent response. Before you-uns git 
hyar we-uns T1 be gone. Kim along as 
you are.’’ 


332 


Morgan’s men. 


So the envoy was permitted to use his 
eyes as he chose ere reaching the camp. 

But there was nothing to see of which he 
could make use, so the lack of caution per- 
haps was not so great after all. 

Dismounting and coming to attention 
before two commanding forms, the envoy 
was a little in doubt which to address, and 
began hesitatingly : — 

Pardon me, gentlemen ; I have a mes- 
sage for the general-in-chief from Lord 
Cornwallis.” 

One of them came forward, with stately 
dignity. am General Greene, sir, at 
your service.” 

The lieutenant saluted. 

I was present, sir, at the recent battle, 
and the earl has permitted me to inquire 
after the fate of my mounted escort — 
about a dozen men of the 63d. They 
were in scarlet uniforms and would have 
kept together.’' 

How about that. General Morgan ? can 
you enlighten him ? and Greene turned to 
his junior. 

Oh, yes, I remember them. They gave 


THE FLAG OF TRUCE. 333 

our men a deal of trouble/’ returned the 
other reflectively. 

Did — any of them — survive ? ” 

All of them. Don’t fret about them, 
Leftenant. They are safe.” 

The young officer’s face lighted as though 
a load had risen from his heart. 

But were not some of them wounded ? ” 
All of them, I believe, before they gave 
in. But none seriously ; mere flesh wounds. 
You do well to inquire after them, for they 
are good men, and a credit to you, Lef- 
tenant.” 

thank you, sir,” — and the young 
officer coloured as he heaved an irrepressible 
sigh of relief and turned to General Greene 
again. I had hoped that some might have 
survived and I ventured to bring some 
clothing and money. May I ask the favour 
that this be forwarded to them, sir ? ” 

With pleasure, Leftenant.” 

I thank you again, sir. My other er- 
rand is — ’ ■■ picked up a mail the other 
day. Military letters of course we retained, 
but the private letters to your officers and 
men the earl requests me to deliver to you 


334 


Morgan’s men. 


with his compliments, deeming that the pub- 
lic service will not be harmed by such action.” 

That is very kind of the earl, sir ; and 
in behalf of my subordinates I tender to 
him my compliments and grateful thanks. 
Kindly assure him that if opportunity to 
reciprocate his courtesy arises it shall not 
be lost. The letters shall be cared for at 
once. That is all? Then, Leftenant, we 
shall be glad to have you as our guest dur- 
ing the day, for you can hardly rejoin your 
command to-night, — not from the distance,” 
he added, in reply to the surprised look of 
the envoy, ‘^but because the Catawba has 
been rising rapidly, and by this time is im- 
passable. Yonder little fellow, your bugler, 
who is eying us so imperiously, would be 
carried down stream like a bubble. I will 
detail an officer for your entertainment. 
Let me see — ” 

Pardon me. General, but may I ask if 
you have a certain Captain Stuart Schuyler 
in your command ? ” said the other, rather 
eagerly. 

The general smiled. 

^‘Have we, Morgan?” — looking quizzi- 


THE FLAG OF TRUCE. 


335 


cally at the other general, who smiled 
broadly in reply. I see you have ; kindly 
send for him.” 

In a moment or two rapid steps ap- 
proached, and Stuart presented himself, 
with an impassive face, although expecting 
nothing less than a detail with the rear-guard 
again to watch for his watchful enemy. 

^^Ah, here he is! Captain, one of Lord 
Cornwallis’s officers is here inquiring for 
you,” and the general wheeled his broad 
form by the right flank and uncovered the 
scarlet figure of the envoy. 

The captain stared, completely taken 
aback for at least five seconds, then held 
out his hand eagerly. 

« Why, Lord Egerton ! as sure as I am ” — 
Jack Stuart 1 ” cut in the other, with a 
laugh. I am very glad to meet you. Cap- 
tain, and on a peace footing for a change. 
How is Tartar?” 

The captain looked inquiringly at the 
generals, who were smiling down at him 
from their gigantic height. Greene nodded 
kindly. * 

^^Take care of him, Captain, until the 


336 


Morgan’s men. 


river permits his crossing. I see I can 
leave him safely in your charge ” — and 
the young men respectfully withdrew, the 
bugler less haughty, but more mystified 
than ever at the ways of his superiors, but 
eying with boyish awe the two giants in 
general’s uniforms whom he had been 
watching from his retired post. 

Then the two young fellows took a good 
long look at each other, smiling at their 
own thoughts, which were many. Stuart 
introduced his guest to his bosom friend, 
Lieutenant Ludlow. 

You ought to know him, Lef tenant, for 
he was with me in New York when Colonel 
Tarleton chose me out of a whole city-full 
to -curry his horse that day.” 

A thing he has regretted often enough 
since,” laughed Lord Egerton. don’t 
mind telling you, Stuart — ah ! — beg par- 
don, force of habit, you know. Captain — 
that ever since you bequeathed to him 
Muskrat you have been a thorn in his recol- 
lections. I ’m inclined to think that he has 
nightmares over you about once a week.” 

“ You can keep to the habit, Lef tenant, if 


THE FLAG OF TRUCE. 


337 


you like/’ smiled the other. ^^My best 
friends call me ^ Stuart/ and we ought to 
be as good friends as the war will permit. 
But I ought to say that that exchange was 
not so one-sided as it seemed. In spite of 
his temper, I noticed that the colonel rode 
Muskrat in the last battle, and I don’t 
believe there was another horse in your lines 
who could have kept ahead of Tartar for so 
long a time till we had to go back at the 
sound of the recall.” 

^^Ah, that was a terrible affair, that 
battle,” — and the young fellow flushed. 

We have not ceased to wonder how it hap- 
pened even yet. Let ’s not talk of that. 
Do you know, we seem to have seen more 
than a little of each other in a singular 
fashion since first you came South. I hap- 
pened to be visiting the colonel just when 
you made your dash at his outposts near 
Ninety-Six — oh, see here ! did not you de- 
liberately set a trap for him then, baited 
with Tartar ? You did ? I thought so, and 
have won my bet. Confound it, though! 
my man is a prisoner now, and can’t pay 
up. Just my luck! 


22 


338 


Morgan’s men. 


^^Then I was with the vanguard that 
chased you and your men, and saw you 
rescue that fellow whose horse was killed. 
Ton my word, Stuart, that was the pluck- 
iest thing I ever saw done in my life 1 ” 

^^Eh? what was that?” cut in Tom 
Ludlow, with interest. 

‘^Oh, nothing to speak of,” cried the 
captain, hastily. 

His guest chuckled mischievously. 

Never mind, Leftenant ; if he won’t tell, 
you can ask that lengthy party yonder with 
the blazing head. That hair can’t be mis- 
taken, and you ’ll find he ’ll know all about 
it. But tell him to wear powder or a wig 
next time ; a raw plough-boy could n’t miss 
such a butt.” 

Then that was you that cheered ! ” said 
Stuart, involuntarily. 

Rather. And the colonel put me under 
arrest for it, for encouraging rebellion,” 
smiled the other. ^^And as a reward for 
my appreciation, a day or two later, you 
came within a hair’s-breadth of putting a 
ball through my head. I ’ve got the mark 
there yet,” — pointing to the scar. 


THE FLAG OF TRUCE. 


339 


Close work, sure,” commented Tom. 
But you were lucky that it was nT closer 
yet. I may as well tell you that when 
Stuart draws a bead on a target it is n’t 
often that he misses by that much ; and I 
don’t quite see how he happened to then.” 

^^You can score that to Lord Egerton’s 
credit,” said Stuart, smiling. He baffled 
some of my best men before I tried my 
hand, and they insisted on my trying be- 
cause he ^ knew too much to be left around 
loose.’ I ’m glad I did n’t know who you 
were, at the time. If I had, I should have 
ruined my reputation as a shot, then and 
there.” 

Thunder, I should hope so ! It ’s quite 
enough for you to be sending such reports 
of me up North, without spoiling my beauty 
— such as it is — into the bargain ! ” 

^^Eh? what?” 

Yes, ‘ what ! ’ ” mimicked the other in 
mock wrath. And a warm time I had of 
it at headquarters, when it got about, let 
me tell you.” 

What on earth are you talking about ? ” 
cried Stuart, thoroughly mystified. 


340 


Morgan’s men. 


^^Well, I’ll explain. We captured a 
mail-bag, the other day,” — the lieutenant 
paused, for the captain had given a percep- 
tible start, and a rich wealth of colour was 
creeping over and through the bronze of his 
face. In that bag was a letter, and — oh, 
hang it, it ’s too real for jesting. I can’t 
carry it out ! I thought I might meet you, 
Stuart, so I just brought it along. And 
here it is, not much the worse for wear.” 

Stuart took it in silence, with a little 
tremble of his usually steady hand, turned 
it over, glanced at the first lines, then 
wringing his guest’s fingers till they tingled 
he leaped to his feet and strode hastily out 
of sight among the pines. Some letters 
must be read apart from any eye but God’s, 
for they are sacred. It was hours before 
the two lieutenants laid eyes on Stuart 
Schuyler again. 

Meanwhile, right and left, as they chatted. 
Lord Egerton had ample opportunity to see 
how rapidly an army could prepare for the 
march ; and as the swift, methodical prep- 
arations went on apace without a pause, 
with scarcely a shout of command, he no 


THE FLAG OF TRUCE. 


341 


longer marvelled at the difficulty which his 
own forces had met in their attempts to 
strike a blow at their elusive foe. Soon the 
little clearing was barren of men, save a 
small group of powerful fellows, mounted 
on the best of horses, and clad in the now 
familiar yellow. The river, as he knew, still 
was high, but falling rapidly. Soon it 
would be time for him to go. Yet he dis- 
played an odd ' reluctance. 

“ I hate to say good-bye to you, Stuart, 
old man ! he cried at length, when the 
time indeed had come. Of course I know 
it must be ; you believe one way, my duty 
lies another. But I hope we both may live 
through it till peace comes again — and 
perhaps I may be introduced to that witty 
little lady Bhoda in some other guise than 
as the captive of your bow and spear. 
Who knows? Well, it must be. God be 
with you, gentlemen, and defend the right.” 

Silently the little bugler sat upon his 
horse, marvelling still at the manner of men 
with whom he had been sojourning ; watch- 
ing the straight, well-uniformed figure of 
his officer in befitting scarlet, clear-skinned, 


342 


Morgan’s men. 


steady-eyed, yet casting glances still, here 
and there, with the growing habit of a 
watcher; and that other wiry figure in 
buckskin, whose epaulettes showed signs of 
forest wear and rain, whose eyes were never 
still, but rested on you for the quiver of a 
second, and then were hashing glances 
hither and yon, quick as the dart of a hum- 
ming-bird, from point to point, to whom the 
distant falling of a leaf was known and 
noted at its worth. 

Then with a splash the two horses en- 
tered the turbid flood and made their slow 
way toward the other side; and as they 
rose dripping from the stream and their 
riders turned, a rider on a powerful black 
waved his hand cheerily in farewell. Then 
in a breath he too vanished, and the other 
bank lay green and peaceful, silent, as 
though there was no such thing as war. 
And what was to follow lay with the years 
to come. 


THE END. 


STORIES OF THE 

REVOLUTION 

By JOHN PRESTON TRUE 

Author of “The Iron Star,” etc. 

SCOUTING for WASHINGTON 

A Story of the Days of Sumter and Tarleton 

Illustrated by Clyde O. De Land 
i2mo. Decorated cloth. $1.50 


MORGAN’S MEN 

In which are Narrated the Adventures of Stuart Schuyler, 
Captain of Cavalry in the Revolution. A Sequel to ‘‘ Scout- 
ing for Washington.” Illustrated by Lilian Crawford True. 

i2mo. Decorated cloth. $1.20 net. (Just Ready) 


SCOUTING FOR WASHINGTON, the first volume of the 
Revolutionary Series in which Stuart Schuyler’s adventures are 
described, delighted many boys, and Mr. True’s new volume, 
“ Morgan’s Men,” which deals with the campaign in South Caro- 
lina, and gives a vivid description of the Battle of Cowpens, in 
which the British under Tarleton were defeated by the Colonists, 
will doubtless have as great popularity. The excellence and 
attractiveness of the series will be seen from the following notices 
of the first book : — 

“ Scouting for Washington ” is one of the most satisfactory of the historical 
stories of this season, written especially for young, readers. It has no false senti- 
ment, no exaggerated adventures, although it is spirited in action and strong in 
patriotic feeling. — Boston Transcript. 

It is full of dash, and the interest steadily increases. A great stimulus to the 
study of history will result from its reading. — School Journal^ N. T. 

Perhaps the most notable thing in the book is the picture of Washington. . . . 
The book is admirably written. — Providence yournal. 

A remarkably well told story of adventure. — Pilgrim Teacher^ Boston. 

A capital book for young readers. On a historical background, commendably 
accurate in its details, is sketched an imaginary tale of absorbing interest. — 
Brooklyn Times. 

Little, Brown, & Co., Publishers, strot^bTs^on 


T7)Z? TR OXF PRESTON TRUE 

-/ U6 xrvV_/l>l Illustrated by Lilian Crawford 

S ;— , ^ 'pj True . Small 4 to . Decorated 

1 A cloth, gilt top . . . Price, 1. 50 


Prof.C. H. Grandgent 
Haruard Uni<versity 
Boston Transcript 


Bookseller y Chicago 


The Iron Star is a magnet. I shall give 
it to my eldest when I can let go of it myself. 

A wonderfully ingenious little story, show- 
ing a child how man has developed from the days 
of primitive savagery. It is much easier to re- 
member than any school manual, but in less 
than 150 pages the author spans the gap between 
the stone age and Miles Standish. 

A most beautiful story of evolution told for 
children in a manner sure to fascinate and hold 
their attention. 


The Outlook^ This book in a most attractive narrative form 

York tells the story of the evolution of man from the 

prehistoric age, his mastery of metals till they 
served his purpose. The knowledge of the 
writer is so permeated with the imaginative 
quality that his story reads like an enchanting 
novel. 


Brooklyn Eagle 


Nenxj York Times 
Christian Register, 
Boston 


Chicago Chronicle 


Told very skillfully and with a sustained 
interest that cannot help making it attractive 
to all young readers. 

A remarkable series of historical sketches. 

The story of early beginnings in civilization, 
and of the slow development and the delight of 
discovery, and the wild, free life of the first 
explorers has an unusual charm. 

A capital book for young readers, giving them 
all the thrill of stirring adventure and at the same 
time laying the foundation for a taste for solid 
historic learning. . . . Weaving loosely together 
a succession of stories, first mythical and later his- 
torical, it aims to give children an outline notion 
of the progress of man through the stone, the 
bronze, and the iron ages, from myth into his- 
tory as far as the beginnings of modern American. 
A happy conception happily carried out, and 
made more vivid and more likely to stick in the 
young memory by many beautiful illustrations. 


Little, Brown, Co., Publishers, sTtE^T^“Lo°TON 


THE IRON STAR 


Church Standard, 
Philadelphia 


Boston Adfuertiser 

Minneapolis Tribune 
Boston Journal 


Once upon a time in the age of Myth, when 
men were little more advanced than beasts in 
what are now called the arts of life, a meteor 
came into the atmosphere of the earth, flamed 
up into fiery brightness, and fell in fragments 
on the ground near to the spot where Umpl and 
Sptz, two savages, as they would now be called, 
were gazing in terror at its sudden approach. 
That was the Iron Star of this present 
wonderful story. In recording what it saw in 
its journey through the ages, Mr. True really 
tells some of the greatest events of human history, 
and every one of them is a story by itself. A 
capital idea, ^worked out in the best possible man- 
ner. “ The Iron Star" does not fall far short 
of being a nvork of genius. For children it will 
furnish useful knowledge in the most delightful 
form imaginable. 

One of the best holiday books for boys and 
girls which has been issued. The text is charm- 
ing, from first page to last, and the pictures are 
not less attractive. It is a veritable woilder-book. 

It combines history and imagination in a 
thrilling wonder-story. 

The author of “ Their Club and Ours ” and 
its sequel, “The Trojan War," is sure of a 
welcome from the children who read the Wide 
Awake in its best days. The hand of the 
writer has not lost its cunning. 

The iron star is a meteor. Some of its 
fragments fall into the keeping of Umpl, and 
his little sister Sptz, in their forest home and 
give them, ready made, the fire which is pre- 
cious beyond most possessions. All their days 
they guard and keep the pieces of the iron star 
which have come to them, and after their days, 
the pieces are treasured by their children unto 
the third and fourth generations. The travels, 
the changes, the varied fortunes of these bits of 
meteoric iron through thousands of years have 
been used as a means for conveying information 
in the most pleasant and easy form to young 
people interested in history. 


Little, Brown, & Co., Publishers, street*."bo1ton 


A Story of the Stirring 
Siege of Louisbourg 



Fife and 
Drum at 
Louisbourg 

By J. Macdonald 
Oxley 


Illustrated by Clyde O. De Land 


i2mo. Decorated cloth. $1.50 


A real boy’s real book, — The Outlook, 

In 1744, Louisbourg was captured by a force of raw New England militia with- 
out the assistance of the home Government. It was a valorous achievement, and 
is made the basis of a first-class story for American youth. — San Francisco 
Chronicle. 

A capital story for boys, full of life and “go,” and very faithfully reflecting 
history. — Chicago Chronicle. 

The story of the expedition against the French fortress is well told by the author, 
and the part played by the youthful volunteers who joined the fife and drum corps 
and sailed away on a fishing schooner made into a military transport was not an 
insignificant one. The book will interest older readers as well as boys, — The 
Argonaut. \ 

A vivid account of the siege of Louisbourg and the courage of two lads. Prince I 

and Pickle, two brothers. ... A good bit of history as well as a live tale of 
adventure. — Boston Herald. 

The famous campaign with brilliant battles on land and sea and remarkable 
episodes for the twin heroes make it thrilling yet clean enough to suit any boy or 
boy’s mother. — Worcester Telegram. 


Little, Brown, Gf Co., Publishers, 

















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